Citation Nr: 18145400 Decision Date: 10/30/18 Archive Date: 10/26/18 DOCKET NO. 16-41 127 DATE: October 30, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis, to include as secondary to pars planitis, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as secondary to multiple sclerosis, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1977 to May 1981. These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2013 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Board notes that a June 2016 SOC addressed the issues of service connection for multiple sclerosis and major depressive disorder. The Veteran filed a July 2016 VA Form 9 and he checked a box indicated that “I have read the [SOC]...I am only appealing these issues:” and he listed multiple sclerosis, but not the major depressive disorder issue. However, a VA Form 646 from the Veteran’s representative addressed this issue in September 2016 and the AOJ listed service connection for major depressive disorder on a May 2017 VA Form 8 (Certification of Appeal). As such, based on VA’s actions, the major depressive disorder claim is before the Board at this time. See Percy v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 37 (2009) (stating that “[i]f VA treats an appeal as if it is timely filed, a veteran is entitled to expect that VA means what it says”). 1. Entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis, to include as secondary to pars planitis, is remanded. The Veteran contends that his multiple sclerosis is related to service in that his in-service eye condition was a manifestation of his multiple sclerosis or his multiple sclerosis is secondary to his service-connected par planitis. See July 2016 VA Form 9 (Substantive Appeal). Service treatment records reflect that the Veteran was diagnosed with pars planitis in 1981 prior to discharge. He was subsequently service connected for par planitis in a November 1981 rating decision. VA and private treatment records reflect a current diagnosis of pars planitis described as a type of uveitis. While it has been noted that par planitis and/or uveitis may be related to multiple sclerosis, no examiner has related to the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis to his active duty service or his service-connected pars planitis with a rationale. While the VA examiner, in February 2013, opined that pars planitis is not related to multiple sclerosis, but noted that optic neuritis is related to MS and that the Veteran did have a diagnosis of optic neuritis at the time of discharge from the Navy, it remains unclear whether the Veteran’s current multiple sclerosis is related to his active service or his service-connected par planitis. Thus, on remand, the AOJ should obtain an adequate opinion as to whether the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis is related to service or is secondary to his pars planitis. 2. Entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder, claimed as secondary to multiple sclerosis is remanded. The Veteran contends that his major depressive disorder is related to his multiple sclerosis. Therefore, this issue is intertwined with the service connection claim being remanded.   The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from May 2016 to the present. 2. Then, forward the claims file, including a copy of this REMAND to a neurologist, considering the complexity of the issue, to provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis. If another examination is deemed necessary to respond to the questions, one should be scheduled. The examiner should respond to the following: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, his active service, to include any in-service pars planitis and/or optic neuritis? The examiner must specifically consider and discuss the Veteran’s service treatment records. (b.) Is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected pars planitis? (c.) In providing the requested opinions, the examiner should discuss the VA and private treatment records noting the Veteran’s ocular history and possible relationship between par planitis and/or uveitis and multiple sclerosis and the medical literature submitted by the Veteran and his representative. The opinions provided should cite to relevant medical literature, including literature not provided by the Veteran or appellant, if appropriate. A rationale for all opinions rendered should be provided. The examiner should also reconcile conflicting opinions. If a response to any of the aforementioned inquiries cannot be provided without resort to speculation, the examiner should state as much, and further explain why it is not feasible to provide a medical opinion, to include whether additional information is needed. 3. If service connection is granted for multiple sclerosis, the RO should consider whether any additional development is needed on the claim for major depression. MICHELLE KANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD R. Williams, Counsel