Glaucoma decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete actions and requests for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's eye surgeries for glaucoma and cataracts were not related to service-connected conjunctivitis, so a temporary total rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for glaucoma as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus is stayed. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hiatal hernia, and PTSD are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The appeal for VA compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral glaucoma with retinal vascular occlusion, presbyopia and post-operative cataracts, atrioventricular (A-V) block, hypertension, and post-surgical scar from removal of pilonidal cyst, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, prostate cancer, left hand middle and ring finger disability, glaucoma, and broken right wrist, were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and remanded the issue of service connection for glaucoma, to include as secondary to chronic asthma.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, and erectile dysfunction due to service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War. The Veteran's exposure to environmental hazards is a key factor in these cases.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's vision disability, including glaucoma, as it is not caused by or related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that the glaucoma is caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's left and right knee arthritis were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.,Service connection was granted for glaucoma, but service connection for a respiratory disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for tinea pedis and an increased rating for right eye glaucoma due to new evidence received since May 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system. The case is remanded for further development regarding his glaucoma disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating higher than this level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding his eye conditions and their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case will be returned to the Board after further development, including an updated VA eye examination.