Citation Nr: 18158946
Decision Date: 12/18/18	Archive Date: 12/18/18

DOCKET NO. 15-28 748
DATE:	December 18, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Veteran’s blepharitis, keratitis, and eye strain at least as likely as not had their onset during service; no other eye disorder has been linked to service.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria are met for entitlement to service connection for an eye disability.     38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (2012); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303 (2018).
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1987 to July 1991 and prior to this she had a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from June 1986 to September 1986.  
This appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) is from a May 2011 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
The Veteran also appealed the denials of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorder; however, since these claims were eventually granted in a February 2016 rating decision, these matters are not before the Board.
In December 2018, the Veteran testified before the undersigned during a video conference hearing.  
1. Entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder.
Service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in, or aggravated by, service.  See 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).  To establish a right to compensation for a present disability, a veteran must generally show: (1) the existence of a present disability; (2) the in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.  E.g., Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1167 (Fed. Cir. 2004). 
Determinations regarding service connection are based on a review of all of the evidence of record, including pertinent medical and lay evidence.  38 U.S.C. § 1154(a); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).  To deny a claim for benefits on its merits, the preponderance of the evidence must be against the claim.  See Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49, 54 (1990) (“A veteran need only demonstrate that there is an ‘approximate balance of positive and negative evidence’ to prevail.”).
The Veteran’s service treatment records document her bilateral eye complaints that included pain and fatigue during her active duty.  In 1990, she reported a progression of symptoms with increased computer use.  See STR – Medical.
On April 2011 VA examination, she reported having daily eye strain and the sensation of a foreign body in her eyes.  The clinician diagnosed dry eyes/blepharitis, eye strain, chorioretinal lesion, and early cataracts, and opined that these disorders are less likely than not related to military service.  However, since the examiner noted that the complaints of eye strain dated back to the early 1990s while in service, this rationale suggests that the Veteran’s eye strain at least as likely as not had its onset during service.  Resolving reasonable doubt in her favor, service connection for eye strain is warranted.
In support of her claim, the Veteran submitted a private opinion from Dr. A.L., who examined the Veteran in October 2018 and reviewed the medical records.  Based on the examination, Dr. A. L. diagnosed bilateral dry eyes and keratitis, and opined that these disorders these disorders more likely than not began during service and that they were caused by her computer use.  See November 2018 VA Examination.
After consideration of all nexus opinions and resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran’s favor, the Board finds that the dry eyes and keratitis at least as likely as not had their onset during service.  Thus, service connection is also warranted for these disorders.
 
S. HENEKS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	D. Bredehorst