Citation Nr: 20048090 Decision Date: 07/17/20 Archive Date: 07/17/20 DOCKET NO. 19-38 133 DATE: July 17, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable rating for diplopia, residuals, left eye superior oblique nerve palsy, postoperative (hereinafter “left eye disability”) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from August 1979 to September 2001. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2018 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Entitlement to a compensable rating for left eye disability is remanded. The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his left eye disability, which is currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Codes 6090-6079. He underwent a VA examination in May 2018 to assess the current severity of his left eye disability. Upon examination of the Veteran, the VA examiner checked “yes” as to whether a visual field defect was present. However, the examiner did not specify which type of visual field defect affects the Veteran’s vision (contraction of a visual field, loss of a visual field, scotoma, or legal (statutory) blindness), checking “no” next to each type of visual field defect instead. As the VA examiner has indicated that the Veteran has a visual field defect but has not identified which specific visual field defect affects the Veteran’s vision, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion clarifying whether the Veteran has a visual field defect, and if so, which type of visual field defect. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Send the Veteran’s claims file to the VA examiner who conducted the May 2018 VA examination, if available, otherwise, to an appropriate medical professional, to obtain an addendum opinion clarifying whether the Veteran has a visual field defect, as indicated on the May 2018 VA examination report. If a visual field defect is present, the examiner is asked to indicate the specific type visual field defect (contraction of a visual field, loss of a visual field, scotoma, or legal (statutory) blindness). The Veteran’s electronic claims file must be made accessible to the designated medical professional for review. A detailed rationale for any opinion expressed should be provided. If the requested opinion cannot be provided without a new examination, one should be scheduled. (Continued on the next page)   2. After completing all indicated development, the Agency of Original Jurisdiction should readjudicate the Veteran’s claim. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be furnished with a supplemental statement of the case, given the opportunity to respond, and the case should thereafter be returned to the Board for further appellate review, if warranted. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D. Houle, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.