Citation Nr: 21042226 Decision Date: 07/12/21 Archive Date: 07/12/21 DOCKET NO. 19-07 263 DATE: July 12, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to compensable disability rating for recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1977 to February 1980. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2017 rating decision. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating was remanded by the Board in December 2019 for further development. Unfortunately, the Veteran's claim must be remanded for further development. Although the Board sincerely regrets the additional delay, it is necessary to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim, so he is afforded every possible consideration. Entitlement to compensable disability rating for recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating was remanded in December 2019, in part, to obtain a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma. Of note, the Board directed the examiner to clarify whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an eye disability. Prior to the remand, the August 2016 VA Eye Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire states that the Veteran had a normal eye examination and that the original diagnosis was made in error. The Veteran has had multiple evaluations by a VA neuro-ophthalmologist who has a strong suspicion that he has conversion disorder and malingering. The Veteran has subjective decreased visual acuity, but no objective findings to support decreased visual acuity. The Veteran was also provided with a February 2020 VA Eye Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire. The examination report states that the Veteran currently has an eye condition of retinal detachment. The examiner opined that there have been no changes to the Veteran's diagnosis or vision since the August 2016 examination. All objective findings contained on the examination are normal. The examiner again advised that the original diagnosis was made in error as the Veteran's dilated fundus evaluations show no signs of past retinal detachments in either eye. Multiple evaluations by a VA neuro-ophthalmologist shows a diagnosis of conversion disorder and malingering, which is consistent with these findings. The examiner concluded that while the Veteran has stable subjective decreased visual acuity, there are no objective findings to support decreased visual acuity. The Board finds that the February 2020 examination is inadequate as it remains unclear whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of retinal detachment. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007) (When VA undertakes to provide a VA examination or obtain a VA opinion, it must ensure that the examination or opinion is adequate). While the examination report states that the Veteran currently has retinal detachment, the examiner advised that the original diagnosis was made in error and that he has a diagnosis of conversion disorder and malingering. Again, a remand is warranted for an additional examination to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma, and, if so, the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma. The examiner must review the Veteran's claims folder. (a.) The examiner is asked to clarify whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an eye disability, to include recurrent choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and scotoma (b.) The examiner should provide a full description of any eye disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran's disability under the rating criteria including the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye and Impairment of Central Visual Acuity. The examiner should consider all applicable rating criteria (including the versions effective prior to and since May 13, 2018) considering all pertinent diagnoses rendered at the examination, to include information regarding incapacitating episodes. P.M. DILORENZO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Mussey, Sean 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.