Citation Nr: 21071574 Decision Date: 11/30/21 Archive Date: 11/30/21 DOCKET NO. 16-20 443 DATE: November 30, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability, to include as secondary to service-connected headaches and blurred vision of the left eye is remanded. Entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 1973 to September 1976. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2016 rating decision. Most recently, the issues listed above were remanded by the Board in April 2021. Unfortunately, the issues must be remanded for further development. Although the Board sincerely regrets the additional delay, it is necessary to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the issues, so the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration. The Board notes that the September 2021 VA medical opinion was associated with the Veteran's claims folder after the issuance of the August 2021 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). As the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) will have an opportunity to review the new evidence on remand, no prejudice results to the Veteran in the Board considering such evidence for the limited purpose of issuing a comprehensive and thorough remand. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability, to include as secondary to service-connected headaches and blurred vision of the left eye is remanded. In April 2021, the Veteran's claim for service connection was remanded by the Board, in part, to afford him an examination if deemed necessary, and addendum medical opinion concerning the etiology of his right eye disability. In particular, the examiner providing the opinions was instructed to determine whether the Veteran's right eye disability had its onset in or is otherwise related to his active service. The examiner was also directed to determine whether the Veteran's right eye disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected headache and blurred vision of the left eye. Pursuant to the Board's remand, the Veteran was afforded a June 2021 VA Eye Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire. The examination report states that the Veteran has diagnoses of right eye retinal scar, pseudophakia, and pupil sphincter tear. A corresponding September 2021 VA medical opinion states that there is no way for a headache or left eye cataracts to cause or aggravate a retinal detachment. The Board finds that the September 2021 VA medical opinion is inadequate because it is conclusory and without sufficient rationale. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007) (holding that when VA undertakes to provide a VA examination or obtain a VA opinion, it must ensure that the examination or opinion is adequate). The examiner did not state any significant facts or findings on examination, did not cite to the medical or lay evidence of record, and failed to discuss any medical principles or literature to support the conclusion. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for service connection must be remanded so that he can be afforded adequate medical opinions. 2. Entitlement to a TDIU rating is remanded. Given that final adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection on remand could result in eligibility for a TDIU rating, or result in additional evidence speaking to the Veteran's employability, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection being remanded herein, and the issues should be considered together. See 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a); Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180, 183 (1991) (two issues are "inextricably intertwined" when they are so closely tied together that a final decision on one issue cannot be rendered until a decision on the other issue has been rendered). Accordingly, the issue of a TDIU rating must be remanded as well. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records for the period from June 2021 to the present. 2. After the above development is completed, obtain addendum medical opinions from an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right eye disability. No additional examination is necessary, unless the clinician determines an examination is necessary to provide the requested opinions. The clinician must review the Veteran's claims folder. The clinician must: (a.) Opine whether the Veteran's current right eye disability is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) proximately due to his service-connected headaches and blurred vision of the left eye. (b.) Opine whether the Veteran's current right eye disability is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected headaches and blurred vision of the left eye. NOTE: The clinician is advised that a "permanent worsening" is not required to establish aggravation. Aggravation may include temporary worsening, or flare-ups, of a disability. If the clinician determines that any of the Veteran's right eye disability is less likely than not due to his service-connected headaches and blurred vision of the left eye, the clinician should discuss what other factor(s) caused his disability. A complete rationale must be provided for all opinions and conclusions reached. P.M. DILORENZO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Mussey, Sean 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.