Glaucoma decisions — 2021

The Board granted service connection for a right eye disability, to include glaucoma and optic nerve atrophy, finding that the Veteran's condition was aggravated by his in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and glaucoma as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service, including any herbicide exposure or service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for coagulase negative staphylococcus of the right knee was dismissed due to a withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma. The appeals to reopen these conditions are granted. Service connection is remanded for all three issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of glaucoma and remanded it to allow for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), vasectomy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being remanded to obtain additional records.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left eye surgery, finding that his current eye conditions are not related to his in-service trauma and are more likely due to age-related factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's right eye conditions, including glaucoma, branch retinal artery or vein occlusion, and cholesterol plaques resulting in a visual field defect (quadrantanopia), were not proximately caused by the June 2005 carotid endarterectomy surgery performed at VA. The Board concluded that while there was an association between the surgery and some of the conditions, it did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic open angle glaucoma with old branch vein occlusion, retinal ischemia, astigmatism, and presbyopia from December 3, 2013 is being remanded due to the undeliverable supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records, particularly those related to VA treatment and examination for glaucoma.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues related to left eye glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts (claimed as lost sight) due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with insomnia is found to have begun during service and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of recurrent corneal erosions or corneal opacities in service, and the claim for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's glaucoma and his service-connected diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. The examiner must provide a new opinion on whether the glaucoma is related or aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available under VA guidelines.,The Veteran's right eye blindness due to glaucoma has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.