Glaucoma decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral glaucoma is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current visual acuity and field of vision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence. The claim will be reconsidered with all new information added to the record, including medical records from October 2006 and May 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and hypertension as there is no competent evidence associating these disabilities to his active military duty.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for primary open angled glaucoma as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, based on medical evidence that did not establish a relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his diabetes mellitus or hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding no evidence that it was related to her active military service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for gout, bilateral hearing loss, and an eye disorder. The claim to reopen a previously-denied skin disorder was also denied.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a sinus disorder, arthritis of the knees, and glaucoma as they were not shown to have been caused by any incident of service. Additionally, it was determined that kidney failure was not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault by VA.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Korea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and loss of vision in the left eye, as there was no competent evidence showing a nexus between any in-service injury or disease and these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors and a diagnosis based on an independently verifiable in-service stressor was not shown.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left eye glaucoma and his service or right eye glaucoma.

The appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied, as the Veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The claim for service connection for glaucoma was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a hernia, glaucoma (claimed as partial blindness), and a bilateral foot disorder, including degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.