Citation Nr: 21029755 Decision Date: 05/14/21 Archive Date: 05/14/21 DOCKET NO. 18-10 051 DATE: May 14, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for dry eye with history of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from October 1970 until his honorable discharge in April 1972. Subsequently, the Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army Reserves from December 1990 until his honorable discharge in July 1991. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2016 rating decision by the Regional Office (RO) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In July 2019, the Board remanded the case to the RO for further development. Specifically, the Board directed the RO to (1) ask the Veteran to identify all recent medical providers for his eye condition, and if private providers are identified, to submit those records or provide the VA with a release form to obtain those records on his behalf; (2) arrange for the Veteran to undergo a new VA examination and for each eye condition diagnosed, the examiner should discuss the associated symptoms and whether that condition is secondary to or a continuation of his service-connected dry eye with a history of keratoconjunctivitis; and (3) readjudicate the Veteran's pending claim. 1. Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for dry eye with history of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is remanded. Where VA provides the veteran with an examination in a service connection claim, the examination must be adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007). In January 2020, the Veteran was afforded a VA examination. The January 2020 VA examiner diagnosed the Veteran with bilateral senescent cataracts and dry eye syndrome. However, the January 2020 VA examination does not reflect any results for corrected near visual acuity of the left eye. The January 2020 VA examiner also provided a negative nexus opinion for direct service connection. Specifically, the January 2020 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral senescent cataracts are less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service exposure to dust, sand, and other environmental toxins because his symptoms are consistent with dry his service-connected dry eye syndrome. The January 2020 VA examiner also provided an addendum opinion that the Veteran's bilateral senescent cataracts are less likely than not (less than 50% probability) secondary to or a continuation of his service-connected condition of dry eye syndrome because the cataracts are occurring bilaterally and are mild in nature and it is a normal progression of his crystalline lenses, which are mild with the Veteran seeing 20/20 bilaterally. However, the examiner does not provide an opinion if the Veteran's cataracts are at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) aggravated beyond their natural progression due to the Veteran's service-connected dry eye syndrome. For the above reasons, a remand is required. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner as to the results of the Veteran's January 2020 VA examination reflecting his corrected near vision of his left eye and an opinion on if the Veteran's service-connected dry eye syndrome has at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) aggravated his bilateral senescent cataracts beyond their natural progression. The entire claims file must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner. If an examination is deemed necessary, it shall be provided. An explanation for all opinions expressed must be provided. M. Tenner Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board G. Deemer, 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.