Citation Nr: 22018575
Decision Date: 03/29/22	Archive Date: 03/29/22

DOCKET NO. 18-40 059
DATE: March 29, 2022

REMANDED

Entitlement to an initial disability rating prior to September 24, 2018 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral cataracts is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral retina disability, including diabetic retinopathy and retinoschisis, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably on active duty with the United States Army from March 1968 to October 1969, including overseas service in Vietnam.

These issues were most recently before the Board in October 2021, at which time they were remand for additional development.  The case has since returned to the Board for appellate consideration.  Regrettably, another remand is necessary.

In its October 2021 remand instructions, the Board directed the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain and associate with the claims file the Goldmann visual field charts from the Veteran's May 2015 VA eye examination, during which he was found to have a visual field defectspecifically, visual field contraction in both eyes.  Because the visual field charts were not included with the examination report, the extent of the visual field defect is unclear.  This information is critical in determining the appropriate rating for the Veteran's bilateral eye disability.  In November 2021, the AOJ obtained and associated with the claims file a visual field chart, however the chart is for the right eye only, and it is illegible, so it is impossible to confirm the date of the chart.  Therefore, remand is warranted to attempt to obtain complete, legible copies of the visual field charts from the May 2015 VA eye examination.

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Obtain a complete, legible copy of the visual field charts for both eyes from the Veteran's May 2015 VA examination.

2. Then, readjudicate the claims on appeal.  If the claims remain denied, provide the Veteran and his representative a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) and return the case to the Board.

 

 

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.