Glaucoma decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash (rephrased as 'jungle rot') is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The examiner should determine if it is at least as likely not that the condition is related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.,The veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. If both type 2 diabetes and glaucoma are diagnosed, the examiners should consider the relationship between them and render an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnosed glaucoma is related to diabetes mellitus.,The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of PTSD remains on appeal.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected glaucoma, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma and a low back disability due to lack of well-grounded claims.

The veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 80 percent effective February 19, 1972.,The veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent effective June 22, 1992.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is remanded due to incomplete medical information. The RO must schedule VA examinations, review the claims file, and issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 9, 2000. His diabetes mellitus and vagotomy with pyloroplasty are both rated as 40 percent disabling. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for glaucoma was denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, including a facial tic, scarring, cataracts, and glaucoma. The new evidence submitted by Dr. Solomon was sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected insulin dependent diabetes mellitus did not cause or aggravate his glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, thus denying his claim.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and TDIU in May 1991. The veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence, but the Board found that hearing loss did not occur during service or until several years post-service. Service connection for glaucoma of the right eye is granted with a 30% evaluation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the residuals of a brain stem infarction and service connection for central retinal vein occlusion and neovascular glaucoma.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and PTSD, as well as his claim for glaucoma. The decision also addressed an increased rating for anxiety disorder and a temporary total hospitalization rating issue.

The veteran has an employment handicap and meets the criteria for basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of exposure to mustard gas and malaria were granted. The claim for a back disorder was reopened with new evidence submitted, but the specific nature of the back condition remains unclear.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is pending, as are his pension benefits claims.