Citation Nr: 22011606
Decision Date: 03/01/22	Archive Date: 03/01/22

DOCKET NO. 11-01 741
DATE: March 1, 2022

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for an eye disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from June 1986 to June 1994.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2015 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

This matter was remanded in March 2014 and April 2020. Unfortunately, another remand is required before this matter can be adjudicated.

Entitlement to service connection for an eye disability is remanded.

The Veteran claims entitlement to service connection for an eye disability related to her active service.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with lattice degeneration, retinal hole, cataracts, epiphora, dry eyes, posterior vitreal degeneration, refractive error, watery eyes, and an oculus sinister scotoma.

In an April 2020 remand, the RO was directed to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing whether any currently diagnosed eye disability was related to the Veteran's February 1987 personal assault. Thereafter, in November 2020, a VA medical opinion was obtained as to the etiology of the Veteran's eye disorder.  Pertinently, the examiner only rendered an opinion as to the Veteran's cataracts, retinal hole, and dry eye.  Indeed, the examiner did not render a nexus opinion as to the Veteran's epiphora, posterior vitreal degeneration, refractive error, and oculus sinister scotoma.  As such, the Board finds that the November 2020 VA opinion is of minimal probative value.  

On remand, RO should obtain a new VA medical opinion and direct the examiner to provide an opinion as to whether all diagnosed eye disabilities are related to the Veteran's service. In doing so, the examiner must address the August 1992 optometric examination showing astigmatism and glial tissue in the left eye, a February 1994 report of double vision, a February 2008 report of anomalous vessel left optic disc, a January 2013 retinal tear, and in-service imperfect visual acuity. 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain an addendum medical opinion from a qualified clinician. The examiner is asked to provide a response to the following:

Is any diagnosed eye disability, to include lattice degeneration, retinal hole, cataracts, epiphora, dry eyes, posterior vitreal degeneration, refractive error, watery eyes, and an oculus sinister scotoma, at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active duty service, to include the Veteran's 1987 personal assault.

In doing so, the examiner must address the August 1992 optometric examination showing astigmatism and glial tissue in the left eye, a February 1994 report of double vision, a February 2008 report of anomalous vessel left optic disc, a January 2013 retinal tear, and in-service imperfect visual acuity.

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The examiner must provide a rationale to support the opinion.

 

 

ARIF SYED

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. Boal, 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.