Glaucoma decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of bilateral hearing loss, post tubulovillous adenoma polyp excision, glaucoma, and bronchitis. The claims were dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia (prostate condition), and osteoporosis. Service connection was denied for torus palatinus, periodontal disease, obesity, septal deviation, diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot disorders and depression are granted, while the claim for glaucoma is denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension at the housebound rate due to his age and multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct. However, the Veteran did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating in existence during his lifetime under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The only service-connected condition (Behcet's Disease with glaucoma) rated at 100% disabling since June 6, 2005 did not meet the duration requirements for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's uveitis and cataract with glaucoma, left eye are currently manifest by legal blindness in the left eye, pain, and pressure. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. H and scheduling a VA ophthalmology examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development of his service connection and disability rating issues.

The Veteran's service-connected left eye disability results in vision limited to no worse than 20/40, with no significant impairment of field of vision. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and left eye disorder (glaucoma) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asymmetric glaucoma and early cataract of the left eye (claimed as nerve damage) is being remanded due to a lack of available service records. The Board will seek additional development, including scheduling an examination, to determine if there is a relationship between the current left eye disorders and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and glaucoma. The Board finds that his current depression is related to his military service, specifically due to the negative impact of his glaucoma on his vision. His glaucoma was not aggravated by his service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate development of medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's right eye glaucoma and nuclear cataracts.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's spouse is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to her various disabilities, as she can perform most self-care and activities of daily living with some assistance.