Citation Nr: 21077154 Decision Date: 12/28/21 Archive Date: 12/28/21 DOCKET NO. 14-28 660 DATE: December 28, 2021 REMANDED The claim of entitlement to service connection for an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy of the left eye with photophobia (hereinafter a left eye disability) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had honorable active-duty service with the United States Marines Corps from July 1991 to May 1996. This matter is before the Board of Veteran's Appeals (Board) from a March 2012 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) that denied service connection for a left eye disability. The Veteran's claim was remanded by the Board in October 2018, March 2021, and July 2021 for addendum and reconciling opinions for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left eye disability. The Board regrets the delay associated with this remand, especially considering that this matter was the subject of three previous remands. However, another remand is necessary to ensure that the Veteran is afforded full compliance with the statutory duty to assist. In July 2021, the Board remanded the Veteran's left eye disability claim again because an April 2021 VA medical opinion did not address, as requested, a March 2011 VA examiner's medical findings of abnormal optic nerve, pallor, and abnormal vision. As such, the issue was remanded for an addendum medical opinion that would reconcile the April 2021 medical findings of no current left eye disability with the March 2011 VA examiner's findings of abnormal optic nerve, pallor, and abnormal vision. Pursuant to the July 2021 Board remand, a VA medical opinion was obtained in August 2021. The examiner indicated the Veteran had normal vision and ocular health and they could not reconcile the medical findings from March 2011 because this examiner did not examine the patient in 2011. The Board notes that the August 2021 VA medical opinion did not adequately address the diagnosis noted in the March 2011 VA examination. Although the August 2021 VA medical opinion noted that the Veteran had normal vision and ocular health currently, it did not consider the March 2011 diagnosis of abnormal optic nerve, pallor, and abnormal vision. Compliance with a remand is not discretionary, and failure to comply with the terms of a remand necessitates remand for corrective action. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain a medical opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding any diagnosed left eye disability. The examiner should address the following questions: a) Is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that any diagnosed left eye disability is related to the Veteran's service? In so opining, the examiner should specifically consider the March 2011 VA examination report indicating a diagnosis for abnormal optic nerve, pallor, and abnormal vision. The examiner should provide an opinion regarding this diagnosis even if now asymptomatic or resolved. A clear rationale for all opinions would be helpful and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved would be of considerable assistance to the Board. S. Morrad Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board C.A. Teich, Associate 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.