Citation Nr: 21073726
Decision Date: 12/10/21	Archive Date: 12/10/21

DOCKET NO. 18-04 165
DATE: December 10, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for glaucoma is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service from June 1984 to March 1990.

The Veteran provided testimony before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in April 2019.  A transcript is of record.  

VA treatment records were associated with the record subsequent to the November 2017 statement of the case (SOC).  The record has not been adjudicated by the originating agency, and the appellant has not waived the right to have the foregoing evidence initially considered by the originating agency.  Accordingly, the matters must be remanded for consideration of the foregoing evidence by the originating agency.  In light of the need for remand, the Board finds the record would benefit if an opinion were obtained from an ophthalmologist as to whether the Veteran's glaucoma was incurred in or is etiologically related to service.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain a medical opinion from an ophthalmologist as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's glaucoma was incurred in service or is etiologically related to service.  A rationale should be provided, with consideration of the January 1987 findings of enlarged c/d ratio and increased intraocular pressure and referral for glaucoma screening, the glaucoma field test reports (pages 63 and 64 of the September 4, 2001 STR), the February, April, and May 1987 follow-up records, and the Veteran's contentions that the military's failure to follow up aggravated his glaucoma.  If an ophthalmologist is not available, the opinion should be obtained from an appropriate medical professional.  

2. Readjudicate the Veteran's claims with consideration of the VA medical records associated with the record after the November 2017 SOC.  If a benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).  The SSOC must contain notice of all relevant actions taken on each pending claim for benefits, to include a summary of the evidence and applicable law and regulations considered pertinent to the issue currently on appeal.  An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response.

 

 

T. REYNOLDS

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	N. Snyder, 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.