Citation Nr: 21042828
Decision Date: 07/14/21	Archive Date: 07/14/21

DOCKET NO. 18-43 035
DATE: July 14, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left superior homonymous quadrantanopia of the bilateral eyes is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably on active duty with the United States Army from November 1996 to August 2004.

This case was most recently before the Board in August 2019, at which time the issue on appeal was remanded for additional development.  The case has since returned to the Board for appellate consideration.  Regrettably, for the reasons discussed below, another remand is necessary.

The Veteran most recently underwent a VA eye examination concerning his eye disability in May 2018.  The examiner indicated that visual field testing was performed and showed a visual field defect.  In its August 2019 remand instructions, the Board directed the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain the Goldmann visual field chart from the May 2018 VA examination and associate it with the Veteran's claims file.  The AOJ obtained the requested chart; however, review of the chart shows the examiner did not document the results for at least 16 meridians 2212 degrees apart for each eye, as required by 38 C.F.R. § 4.77 (a).  Instead, the chart was divided into only 12 meridians, and the none of the results documented were from the 8 principal meridians.  Moreover, the examiner did not record at least 16 meridians.  Therefore, the test results are not valid for rating purposes, and the Veteran should be afforded a new VA eye examination on remand.  

The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and associate them with the claims file, including any treatment records from July 2020 to the present.

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2. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA eye examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left superior homonymous quadrantanopia of the bilateral eyes.  The examiner must review the claims file and should note that review in the report.  The examiner is asked to conduct a full eye examination, and in particular, to document the results for at least 16 meridians 2212 degrees apart for each eye, as required by 38 C.F.R. § 4.77 (a).  The examiner should specifically identify all disabilities found and describe in detail all pertinent symptomatology and findings of any visual impairment found, including any visual field loss.  The examiner should consider all applicable rating criteria during the appeal period, including the versions of the eye rating criteria effective prior to and effective as of May 13, 2018. A complete rationale should be provided for any opinions expressed.

3. Then, readjudicate the appeal.  If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case and given the opportunity to respond.  The case should then be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration, if necessary.

 

 

L. CHU

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	G. T. Raftery, 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.