The petition to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for glaucoma with left eye blindness is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and insomnia, is granted. Initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are denied. The effective date prior to October 13, 2009, for the award of service connection for PFB is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the June 2009 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for glaucoma with left eye blindness. The acquired psychiatric disorders are related to active duty service, but there was no current diagnosis of hypertension or depression at the time of the denial in June 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- glaucoma with left eye blindness, acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder and insomnia)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19136312
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,990 · Granted: 35% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19136312.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for glaucoma with left eye blindness, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus have been reopened. The right knee disorder claim remains denied.,Service connection for the right knee disorder is not granted as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
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