Can You Receive VA Disability for Glaucoma?
To qualify to receive VA disability for glaucoma, veterans must provide thorough documentation of a service connection and incapacitating episodes of vision loss.
Summary
- Veterans may develop glaucoma due to active duty experiences or related health conditions, such as eye trauma, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which can lead to vision loss.
- Vets face difficulties proving that glaucoma is service-connected, especially if there is a family history, requiring strong legal support to dispute VA denials.
- Veterans need to prove in-service events caused or worsened their glaucoma, have a diagnosis, and meet VA disability rating criteria.
- VA disability ratings for glaucoma range from 10% to 60% based on symptom severity.
- The VA assesses visual acuity, field of vision, and eye muscle function, along with the frequency of incapacitating episodes, to determine disability ratings for glaucoma.
- VA disability appeals attorneys help veterans secure the benefits they deserve and potentially increase ratings as their symptoms worsen.
Service-related glaucoma costs veterans more than just their eyesight, and our VA disability lawyers are here to help you secure the benefits your claim warrants. Make your VA appeal a priority and reach out to VetLaw to start the process.
To set up a free consultation with our team at VetLaw, call (855) 573-1503 or submit a contact form today. We will work closely with you to assemble a veterans disability claim appeal that yields the results you deserve.
Service Connected Causes of Glaucoma in Military Veterans
When excessive levels of fluid accumulate in the eye, this can harm the optic nerve. With glaucoma, the optic nerve’s function is compromised by this process. The optic nerve is responsible for communicating input from the retinas to the brain.
Veterans with service-related glaucoma suffer a loss of peripheral vision, followed by their central vision. Glaucoma may be the result of a veteran’s active duty experiences or other health conditions related to their military service, such as:
Although the causal relationship between optic nerve damage and elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma-related vision loss is somewhat unclear, we do know that genetics can play a role in a veteran’s chances of developing glaucoma. This often becomes a major obstacle for veterans attempting to secure VA disability for glaucoma.
The VA may be inclined to argue that your glaucoma is not service-connected if you have a family history of the condition. The best way to dispute a VA denial in cases like these is to hire an experienced veterans disability benefits denial lawyer to represent you.
What Veterans Need to Do to Access VA Disability for Glaucoma
Filing a VA disability claim for service-related glaucoma is a highly involved process. If you want to receive VA disability for glaucoma, you need proof that you:
- Have an other-than-Dishonorable discharge with at least 2 years of active duty service or a completed contract.
- Experienced an in-service event or conditions that caused or aggravated your glaucoma.
- Secured an official diagnosis of glaucoma from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- Developed new or worsening glaucoma symptoms that fit the description of a 10% or higher VA disability rating for the condition.
Even after submitting documentation of your compliance with all of these requirements, the VA may still deny your veterans glaucoma disability claim. If the VA does grant your claim for disability benefits, it’s also possible it will assign a rating that doesn’t accurately capture the impairment you experience due to glaucoma.
After receiving an unsatisfactory VA claim decision, you need to file a VA appeal if you want to secure disability benefits for your glaucoma. This may take some time, so you shouldn’t procrastinate on notifying the VA you intend to appeal.
How the VA Determines Your Disability Rating for Glaucoma
According to the VA Rating Schedule for glaucoma, the VA recognizes two classifications of glaucoma: Angle-Closure and Open-Angle. The former progresses rapidly, while the latter gradually compromises vision.
To evaluate the severity of your glaucoma, the VA may schedule a C&P exam with an eye specialist. They are assessing the extent to which your glaucoma has impacted your central visual acuity, limited your field of vision, and impaired your eye muscle function.
Glaucoma Symptoms Correspond With Different Rating Levels
Based on this information, as well as the frequency with which you experience “incapacitating episodes” and need to see an eye doctor, the VA will provide you with a disability rating for your glaucoma.
At the lowest compensable rating of 10%, veterans must show that within the last year, they experienced 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes that warranted medical treatment for their glaucoma.
The VA also offers glaucoma ratings at 20%, 40%, and 60%. At the highest level of compensation for glaucoma, veterans must prove at least 7 of these episodes over the last year.
Don’t Hesitate to Contact VetLaw About Appealing Your VA Glaucoma Disability Claim
At VetLaw, we will work tirelessly to appeal for the back pay benefits you are entitled to for your service-related glaucoma. Veterans across the country have turned to VetLaw in the face of a VA benefits denial for glaucoma, and we have consistently risen to the challenge on their behalf.
To get in touch with our helpful team, you can call us at (855) 573-1503 or submit a contact form. Then, we will assist you with scheduling your free consultation with a VetLaw VA disability appeals lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is glaucoma reversible? How does this affect my VA disability rating for glaucoma?
Unfortunately, glaucoma is not a reversible condition. However, treatment can stall a veteran’s eyesight deterioration. Veterans who receive VA disability for glaucoma may need to appeal to increase their current rating as their symptoms progress.
For instance, a veteran with glaucoma may originally only qualify for 20% VA disability based on their symptoms. Then, over time, they may suffer vision loss to the point that it is no longer safe for them to drive.
This makes it difficult for them to get to work, fulfill their job duties, and run basic errands. Consequently, the VA may increase their disability rating based on the increased frequency and severity of their glaucoma symptoms.
What are the signs of glaucoma in veterans?
Unless you have acute angle-closure glaucoma, you may not notice any symptoms for some time. Veterans who have open-angle glaucoma slowly lose their peripheral sight followed by their central vision.
With acute angle-closure glaucoma, veterans may experience a rapid onset of symptoms including severe headache, blurry vision, pain or redness in the eye, and vomiting.
Can I receive TDIU VA disability benefits for service-related glaucoma?
Yes, it is possible. The threshold for TDIU benefits is a 60% disability rating and proof of Individual Unemployability. So, to qualify for TDIU compensation based on your service-connected glaucoma, you would need to have the maximum VA disability rating for glaucoma.
