Glaucoma decisions — 2021

An increased rating of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted from December 6, 2011.,Service connection for a skin condition is granted. The Veteran's current disability includes fibromatous type changes on the posterior aspects of the arms and right thigh along with a large keloid on the left thigh.,The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for bilateral cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus and bilateral glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus are remanded.,Service connection for kidney infection, bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, bilateral ankle pain, obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, lower back pain, and sciatica are all remanded.,Verification is needed to determine which medication caused the Veteran's kidney infection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left eye post-operative angle recession glaucoma and cataract has been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

A 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome is granted beginning February 20, 2018.,A higher 10 percent rating is granted for pinguecula with corneal scarring.,Since November 23, 2020, a higher 30 percent rating is granted for infiltrative keratitis and open angle glaucoma.

The Board has ordered the claims to be remanded for further development and readjudication. The issues include initial ratings, effective dates, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma (to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus) have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral glaucoma suspect, claimed as ocular hypertension and service connection for a left ankle disability are remanded due to the need for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for gout, COPD, sleep apnea, or glaucoma. The case is remanded to provide VA examinations and obtain a medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for glaucoma due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including respiratory disorders, multiple myeloma, type II diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension, all of which were not found to be related to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has denied an increased rating for generalized epilepsy and has remanded the issue of service connection for left eye injury, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected generalized epilepsy. The Veteran's left eye disability may be related to his use of medications for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for an eye disability, including glaucoma and cataracts, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is being returned due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's narrow angle glaucoma is granted a 50 percent rating, effective November 16, 2011. The ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and blepharitis with dry eye syndrome and bilateral excised pterygiums remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, lipoma, multiple myeloma, melanoma, lung condition (to include asthma and bronchitis), lower back pain, and bilateral leg tingling (to include radiculopathy) are not supported by evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board has therefore denied these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's left eye blindness. The Veteran claims his blindness was caused by VA treatment in 2014, but there is conflicting evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Vietnam.