Glaucoma decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and for the cause of his death, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The appellant is also not entitled to burial benefits due to lack of entitlement under applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of ACDUTRA dates and obtaining medical records from Wiesbaden, Germany. The appellant's hypertension and glaucoma claims will be reconsidered in light of both old and new versions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for open angle glaucoma and pulmonary sarcoidosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any pertinent time.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and PTSD, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty or for several decades following discharge. The claim for hepatitis was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The veteran's glaucoma was rated at 10 percent from August 13, 2001 to June 19, 2003 and then increased to 20 percent from June 20, 2003 to July 27, 2005. The veteran's glaucoma remains rated at 30 percent on and after July 28, 2005. Service connection for hypertension was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her inability to require regular assistance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for pigmentary glaucoma, status post cataract surgery with interocular lens implantation bilaterally, exotropia, and myopia. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking the eye conditions to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell disease, glaucoma of the right eye, avascular necrosis of the right hip, and renal disorder. The TDIU claim was also dismissed as there is no legal basis due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for blindness in the right eye and an increased rating for bilateral glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary service connection claim or that the veteran's current visual acuity impairment warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected glaucoma with cataracts, associated with glomerulonephritis with hypertension, status post kidney transplant is currently manifested by no impairment of visual field and impairment of visual acuity of 20/40 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The veteran's disability rating was increased to 30 percent but his claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection of sinus disability, skin disability, sleep apnea, glaucoma, and mitral regurgitation (heart disease) were denied. The veteran's PTSD was evaluated at 50% disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA examinations to determine if the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral eye disorders are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia, vertigo, otitis externa in the right ear, diabetes mellitus type II, primary open angle glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The appeals were all denied as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has denied service connection for all the claimed conditions, including alkaptonuria, aortic valve replacement, hyperlipidemia, glaucoma, right knee and hip replacements, and arthritis/chrondrocalcinosis, as they are not among the diseases listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(d) for which presumptive service connection can be granted due to radiation exposure.