Citation Nr: 22017465 Decision Date: 03/25/22 Archive Date: 03/25/22 DOCKET NO. 17-47 078 DATE: March 25, 2022 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a left eye disorder (claimed as partial blindness due to in-service swine flu vaccination) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1970 to July 1974 and from January 1975 to April 1979. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2017 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In November 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned at a virtual Board hearing. A transcript of the hearing is of record. Entitlement to service connection for a left eye disorder (claimed as partial blindness due to in-service swine flu vaccination) is remanded. The Veteran contends he developed a left eye disorder in service as a side effect of being vaccinated against swine flu. Notably, a March 1979 Report of Medical History reflects the Veteran's complaints of eye trouble, which he described as a reaction to the swine flu vaccine. The Veteran was also diagnosed with ocular migraines in 1978. In April 2017, the Veteran was afforded a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination. Noted diagnoses included ocular migraines (with onset in August 1978) and glaucoma. The examiner opined that the Veteran's ocular migraines had no recent recurrences and that his glaucoma was "not related to ocular migraines or the 1976 Swine Flu vaccine." No further rationale was provided. The Board finds the April 2017 C&P examination and opinion is inadequate to support a decision in this case. The opinion, as noted above, is conclusory and does not provide any explanation to support its finding. In particular, the examiner does not explain why the Veteran's in-service swine flu vaccine is not linked to his current left eye problems. For these reasons, regrettably, the Board finds a remand is warranted. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007) (when VA providers a veteran with an examination or medical opinion, it must ensure the examination or opinion is adequate). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an examiner to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left eye disorder. The examiner is asked to review the claims file and provide the following information: (a) State whether the criteria for any pertinent diagnoses relating to the left eye are met. (b) Opine as to whether the Veteran's current left eye disorder was incurred in or otherwise related to service, to include as due to the swine flu vaccine and/or the episode of ocular migraines. The examiner should specifically discuss the pertinent service treatment records dealing with eye problems as well as the Veteran's testimony regarding the chronology of his symptoms. (c) If it is determined that there is another likely etiology for the Veteran's disability, that should be stated. The examiner should set forth all examination findings, with a clear rationale for the conclusions reached. LESLEY A. REIN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Ryan, 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.