Citation Nr: 21064235 Decision Date: 10/19/21 Archive Date: 10/19/21 DOCKET NO. 17-49 126 DATE: October 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for right eye glaucoma is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1987 to October 2000 and from January 2001 to January 2009. 1. Entitlement to service connection for right eye glaucoma is remanded. In April 2017, the Veteran was provided a VA examination to assess the etiology of his right eye glaucoma. The examiner diagnosed glaucoma and indicated the Veteran required the use of medication for that condition. The examiner also stated she was unable to render an opinion as to whether the Veteran's right eye glaucoma had its onset within a year of the Veteran's retirement from military service. The examiner, however, did not consider or address whether the Veteran's glaucoma could be otherwise related to his military service. In particular, in stating that she could not provide a medical opinion, the examiner observed that the Veteran had been noted to be suspect for glaucoma in March 2010, with the disability formally diagnosed in April 2010. The examiner stated these dates were beyond the one-year period from the Veteran's separation from service, but only by a few months and glaucoma could not be diagnosed in one visit. The examiner further acknowledged that glaucoma was a progressive disease that likely began prior to the Veteran's formal diagnosis. A review of the Veteran's private treatment records and statements indicate that glaucoma was in fact suspected as early as January 2010. Additionally, the April 2017 VA examiner indicated in her opinion report that the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) had not been made available to her to review, though these records are associated with the claims file. Accordingly, the Board finds that the April 2017 VA examination was insufficient for rating purposes and remand is warranted for a new VA medical opinion consistent with the directives herein. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Obtain a VA medical opinion from an appropriate examiner to evaluate the etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma. The claims folder (including a copy of this remand) must be provided to and reviewed by the examiner as part of the medical opinion. The examiner must provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran's current glaucoma arose during or within one year following his military service. In rendering this opinion, the examiner must specifically consider and discuss the Veteran's reports and private treatment records indicating that he was suspected for right eye glaucoma in January 2010. The examiner must also opine as to whether continuous medication would have been required to treat the Veteran's suspected glaucoma. The examiner is advised that the Veteran is competent to report his symptoms/history and that such reports must be acknowledged and considered in formulating any opinion. If his reports are discounted, the examiner should provide a reason for doing so. A rationale for all requested opinions shall be provided. If the examiner cannot provide an opinion without resorting to mere speculation, he or she shall provide a complete explanation stating why this is so. In so doing, the examiner shall explain whether the inability to provide a more definitive opinion is the result of a need for additional information or that he or she has exhausted the limits of current medical knowledge in providing an answer to that particular question. A. ISHIZAWAR Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Metzner, Paul 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.