Citation Nr: 21066912
Decision Date: 11/02/21	Archive Date: 11/02/21

DOCKET NO. 19-08 646
DATE: November 2, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for bilateral macular degeneration is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from April 1987 to January 1991.

This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2017 rating decision by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  In March 2017, the Veteran disagreed with this rating decision.  In September 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ).  The claim is now before the Board.

Service connection for bilateral macular degeneration is remanded.

In his September 2021 hearing, the Veteran testified that he had eye/vision problems during service.  Service treatment records (STRs) from December 1988 noted eye issues and that the Veteran was told to take eye drops because his eyes were really dry.  In the hearing, the Veteran and his representative alleged that even though the Veteran had eye issues during service, nothing was noted on his exit examination because the examination was not necessarily thorough.

The Board notes that, while the Veteran never gave a specific theory as to how his macular degeneration was related to service, he did have eye problems during service.  The Board further notes that the Veteran has never had a VA examination for his eyes.  Because of this, a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's macular degeneration is related to service.  McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Please note that, by law, ALL remanded claims must be processed expeditiously.

2. In accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(1), contact the Veteran for additional information about treatment for his condition and make efforts to obtain all VA and private treatment records concerning this claim.

3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA eye examination to determine the nature and cause of any diagnosed eye condition, to include bilateral macular degeneration.  Prior to the examination, the claims folder and a copy of this remand must be made available to the examiner for review of the case, to include the December 1988 STRs showing eye problems.  A notation to the effect that this record review took place should be included in the report.  

After the above has been completed, the examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that any diagnosed eye disability is causally related to active service or represents the initial manifestation of his current diagnosis.

4. A detailed explanation (rationale) is requested for all opinions provided.  (By law, the Board is not permitted to rely on any conclusion that is not supported by a thorough explanation.  Providing an opinion or conclusion without a thorough explanation will delay processing of the claim and may also result in a clarification being requested).

 

 

VICTORIA MOSHIASHWILI

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J. Abrams, 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.