Citation Nr: 21076247
Decision Date: 12/23/21	Archive Date: 12/22/21

DOCKET NO. 17-52 647
DATE: December 23, 2021

REMANDED

The issue of service connection for a left eye disorder is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served in the U.S. Army from September 2002 to December 2005, from June 2007 to June 2008, and from October 2009 to October 2010. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and in the National Guard. He served in Southwest Asia.

The issue of service connection for a left eye disorder is remanded.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Reason for the remand:

A January 2020 VA medical opinion states that the Veteran is treated by a private optometrist. No attempt has been made to obtain the private records and, therefore, remand is necessary.

Additionally, the examiner failed to provide an opinion as to all the diagnosed left eye disorders noted in the record and based the opinion on what "typically" happens following a corneal ulcer. The examiner did not base the opinion on this Veteran's particular medical history and did not address the Veteran's reports of symptoms since his in-service corneal ulcer. Therefore, the opinion is inadequate and remand is needed for a new examination and opinion.

2. Advise the Veteran that he may submit any additional medical and non-medical evidence relating to his claimed left eye disorder that is not already in VA's possession. 

Specifically request authorization to obtain treatment records from any private optometrist that has treated the Veteran.

3. Associate with the record any VA clinical documentation not already of record pertaining to the treatment of the Veteran for left eye complaints and symptoms.

4. AFTER ASSOCIATING THE ABOVE RECORDS WITH THE FILE OR DOCUMENTING THEIR UNAVAILABILITY IN THE RECORD, schedule the Veteran for a VA eye examination WITH AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST WHO HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY EXAMINED THE VETERAN to obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of each identified left eye disorder. All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail. 

All relevant medical records must be made available to the examiner for review of pertinent documents. The examination report should specifically state that such a review was conducted. The examiner must provide a comprehensive explanation for all opinions provided.

The examiner should address the following:

(a.) Identify each eye disorder which the Veteran currently has or has had since he first filed his claim of service connection in March 2015.

(b.) Provide an opinion as to whether each of the following was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorderincluding as a result of the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia and/or as a result of an in-service eye infection and ulcersor in any way originated during service:

i.	Macular gliosis.

ii.	Toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis.

iii.	Left eye corneal abrasion and infection residuals.

iv.	Any other identified left eye disorder.

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In providing the opinion, the examiner must expressly discuss the Veteran's reports of blurred vision since service and the September 2017 private disability benefits questionnaire stating that the Veteran had "long standing blurred vision [in the] left eye.

 

 

Jacqueline E. Miller

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	C. Ivan Franklin

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.