Citation Nr: 18140463
Decision Date: 10/03/18	Archive Date: 10/03/18

DOCKET NO. 18-04 173
DATE:	October 3, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for asthma is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active duty service from August 26, 1996, to November 1, 1996.
The Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) via videoconference during a June 2018 Board hearing.  A transcript of the hearing is included in the claims file.  During the hearing, the VLJ held the record open to allow the Veteran to submit additional evidence.  The record shows that the Veteran waived review of any additional evidence by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) in the first instance in a June 2018 statement.  
The Board must remand the claim on appeal to associate with the claims file outstanding VA treatment records.  The record includes a January 2018 VA addendum medical opinion in which a VA examiner concluded that based on conflicting information located in the claims file, the examiner was recommending that the Veteran undergo screening for genetic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency testing.  The examiner indicated that she had ordered the appropriate testing.  A January 22, 2018, VA physician’s note letter shows that the Veteran was notified to contact the appropriate VA clinical facility and attend the scheduled testing.  The most recent VA treatment record in the claims file is this January 22, 2018, letter.  Additionally, the Veteran testified during the June 2018 Board hearing that he was going to see “Dr. W.T.” in July 2018 or August 2018 for treatment of his pulmonary symptoms.  Thus, on remand, the AOJ should associate with the claims file all outstanding VA treatment records since January 22, 2018, to include any VA medical records from Dr. W.T., and any genetic COPD with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency testing results.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Associate with the claims file all outstanding VA treatment records pertinent to the Veteran’s pulmonary disorder, to include asthma, since January 22, 2018, and to include any VA medical records from Dr. W.T., and any genetic COPD with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency testing results.  Document any negative responses received.
 
A. P. SIMPSON
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Hodzic, Counsel