Glaucoma decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was rated at 60 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The appellant also had other service-connected disabilities which rendered her husband unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with glaucoma, which the medical evidence links to his service. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for glaucoma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability, diagnosed as suspected traumatic glaucoma; loss of vision greater in the right eye than the left eye due to a history of suspected posterior uveitis and optic neuritis; and chorioretinal scars and pigmentary changes.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability, hiatal hernia and deformity with spasticity of duodenal bulb, numbness with burning dysesthesia, degenerative disc disease at L4-5, and radiculopathy of the left leg. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective February 10, 2006 due to her service-connected fibromyalgia. Prior to this date, she was not shown by medical evidence of record to be unemployable solely due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left eye disorder was not caused by VA treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional right eye disability, including loss of visual acuity and other conditions such as choroidal effusion and detachment, was not caused by VA's carelessness or negligence during his July 2007 glaucoma surgery. The Board concluded that there was no evidence to support a finding of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran seeks service connection for traumatic glaucoma of the left eye, which he claims is related to a chemical exposure during service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence and requires an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and glaucoma have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the claims remain denied as there is insufficient competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of an eye injury, angle recession glaucoma of the right eye were granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective January 27, 2006. The appeal is for an initial evaluation in excess of this.

The Board found that the appellant is not blind or nearly so, and does not require regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities. She is able to perform most of her daily activities independently.

The Veteran's disabilities, including blindness in one eye and heart disease, render him unable to protect himself from daily hazards without the aid of another person. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes due to multiple disabilities, including knee conditions, depression, tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy, and arterial disease. The Veteran is found unemployable by reason of his disabilities.