Citation Nr: 21075689 Decision Date: 12/21/21 Archive Date: 12/21/21 DOCKET NO. 16-53 569 DATE: December 21, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for ocular histoplasmosis is granted. FINDING OF FACT The Veteran's ocular histoplasmosis is etiologically related to service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for entitlement to service connection for ocular histoplasmosis have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty from February 1969 to February 1971. He appeals a February 2014 rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for ocular histoplasmosis. In August 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript is of record. Service Connection Under the relevant laws and regulations, service connection may be granted for a disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303(a), 3.304, 3.307, 3.309, 3.310. Generally, the evidence must show: (1) the existence of a present disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service. Shedden v. Principi, 381 F.3d 1163, 1166-67 (Fed. Cir. 2004); Caluza v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 498, 505 (1995). 1. Entitlement to service connection for ocular histoplasmosis. The Veteran contends that his ocular histoplasmosis is related to active service. After a review of the evidence, the Board finds that service connection is warranted. A review of the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) reveals treatment for an upper respiratory infection on March 8, 1969, that lasted for at least 5 weeks. After losing his glasses, he was treated for eye problems in 1971 and was diagnosed with astigmatism. He was diagnosed with ocular histoplasmosis in 1985. Post-service medical records do not show treatment for ocular histoplasmosis until the Veteran's February 2012 left eye surgery. His private physician notes that he has treated the Veteran for eye problems since 1996. Notably, the Veteran does not assert that the condition began during service. He contends that he was exposed to fungus which lay dormant until a hemorrhage occurred in 1984. Based on the foregoing, a continuity of symptoms since service has not been established. As to nexus, the Veteran contends that his ocular histoplasmosis is latent disease attributable to fungus exposure during service. Specifically, he reports acting as a Game Warden at Fort Benning during service, the duties of which required exposure to dead animals and animal feces. He submitted an internet article explaining that ocular histoplasmosis develops when histoplasma capsulatum spores spread from the lungs to the eye. The fungus is found in river valleys where bird or bat droppings accumulate. Furthermore, the Board notes that ocular symptoms may not appear until years, possibly decades, after the initial exposure. The Veteran also submitted two medical opinions, one from a VA clinician and one from a private physician, purporting a link between the Veteran's eye condition and active service. In December 2013, a private physician opined the Veteran's ocular histoplasmosis is at least as likely as not to be contracted during active duty. In December 2019, a VA clinician opined that it is more likely than not that the Veteran' rare eye condition is associated with Military exposure in Fort Benning. Although minimal reasoning is offered in both opinions, the Board affords them substantial weight. They were both rendered by qualified medical professionals and are in accordance with the evidence of record. As such, the Board finds that a nexus has been established. In conclusion, the evidence weighs heavily in favor of the Veteran. He developed a rare eye condition that is only caused by exposure to a certain fungus likely to be encountered during his military duties. Accordingly, service connection is warranted and the claim is granted. 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. B.T. KNOPE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Daniel Ballinger, Associate Counsel