Citation Nr: 18140159
Decision Date: 10/02/18	Archive Date: 10/02/18

DOCKET NO. 13-29 503
DATE:	October 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded.
Entitlement to a compensable initial rating for status-post testicular cancer and status-post right testicular orchiectomy (hereinafter referred to as a “testicular cancer residuals”) is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active duty from February 1992 to February 2012.
Issues 1-2:  Entitlement to compensable initial ratings for allergic rhinitis and testicular cancer residuals is remanded.
The claims for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis and testicular cancer residuals are being remanded for new VA examinations.  In June 2018, the Regional Office requested new examinations for these issues.  The requests were processed in August 2018, and the Veteran was notified that new VA examinations would be scheduled.  VA administrative notes from August 22 and 23, 2018, reflect that the Veteran was contacted by telephone, and that voice messages were left.  However, no VA examination was ever scheduled.
Additionally, the last VA examination provided was in November 2011.  As such, the Board finds a remand necessary to afford the Veteran a contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis and testicular cancer residuals.  See Allday v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 517, 526 (1995) (indicating that, where the record does not adequately reveal the current state of the claimant’s disability, fulfillment of the statutory duty to assist requires a contemporaneous medical examination, particularly if there is no additional medical evidence that adequately addresses the level of impairment of the disability since the previous examination).
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1.  Provide a VA examination by an appropriate medical examiner to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis.  The entire claims file must be provided to the examiner for review.  All necessary tests and studies should be accomplished and all clinical findings reported in detail.
The examiner is asked to examine the Veteran, review his claims file, and then respond to the following:
Discuss the signs and symptoms associated with the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis.  Specifically, indicate whether the Veteran has polyps and whether there is a greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.
The examiner should provide an explanation for any conclusions reached.
2.  Provide a VA examination by an appropriate medical examiner to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s testicular cancer residuals.  The entire claims file must be provided to the examiner for review.  All necessary tests and studies should be accomplished and all clinical findings reported in detail.
The examiner is asked to examine the Veteran, review his claims file, and then respond to the following:
Identify all present symptoms and manifestations attributable as a residual of the Veteran’s testicular cancer and right testicular orchiectomy.
*Specifically, determine whether the Veteran currently manifests any local recurrence or metastasis of the original testicular cancer.  The examiner should further provide, to the greatest extent possible, comprehensive information that addresses all components of the applicable rating criteria, including but not limited to the nature and extent of any renal and/or voiding dysfunction, if related to the service-connected disability.
The examiner should provide an explanation for any conclusions reached.
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3.  Thereafter, readjudicate the claims on appeal.
 
S. B. MAYS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Jane R. Lee