Citation Nr: 21022475
Decision Date: 04/15/21	Archive Date: 04/15/21

DOCKET NO. 16-30 019
DATE: April 15, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for a left eye disorder.

REASONS FOR REMAND

In November 2019, the Board denied entitlement to service connection for a left eye disorder. The Veteran appealed this decision to the Veterans Claims Court. In November 2020, the Court Clerk granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) and the appeal has now been returned to the Board for further action. 

A remand is needed to substantially comply with the findings of the November 2020 JMR. Specifically, outstanding medical records must be associated with the claims file and a medical opinion must be obtained to determine the etiology of a current left eye disorder. 

The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records, including all available ophthalmology notes and consults, and associate them with the claims file. 

2. Direct the claims file to a clinician for an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or more) that a current left eye disorder is causally or etiologically related to service, to include the Veteran’s report of injuring his eye during service. 

A rationale for all opinions must be provided.

3. If the clinician determines that an examination is necessary in order to provide the requested opinion, then one should be scheduled. 

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T. Kokolas, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.