Glaucoma decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and stressor verification.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for UTIs, bilateral open-angle glaucoma, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for conjunctivitis prior to August 16, 2017 are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected disability.,The bilateral eye disability, including glaucoma and cortical cataracts, did not have its onset during or within one year after service discharge and is not otherwise related to service.,The right ear hearing loss disability did not have its onset during or approximate to the pendency of the claim and is not otherwise related to service.,The peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's dental disability was not incurred during active service or due to injury incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, vision disability (likely glaucoma), and hypertension. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's glaucoma and Parkinson's disease are denied as they did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise unrelated to active service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied as they did not have their onset during active service or are otherwise unrelated to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 60 percent for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and his TDIU prior to June 26, 2017 were both denied. The evidence did not show the severity of the Veteran’s condition met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, other than non-specific palpebral conjunctivitis is remanded due to the need for de novo consideration and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left eye disability and TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the complexity of his condition and its impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and glaucoma due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on their relation to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed.,New evidence has reopened the claims of service connection for neck disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded cases for service connection of various conditions claimed as secondary to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, kidney disability (secondary to diabetes), and eye condition (glaucoma and cataracts) are not service-connected for accrued purposes.,The Veteran's bladder cancer is not service-connected for accrued purposes. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.