Citation Nr: 18142134
Decision Date: 10/16/18	Archive Date: 10/12/18

DOCKET NO. 14-34 941A
DATE:	October 16, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability, to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded. 
Entitlement to service connection for a collapsed left lung, to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded. 
Entitlement to viral infection of the lungs, to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded. 
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded. 
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from August 1980 to December 1980. 
Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability, bronchitis, a collapsed left lung, viral infection of the lungs, and an acquired psychiatric disability, all to include as due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded.
The Veteran claims that he suffers from a bilateral eye disability, bronchitis, a collapsed left lung, viral infection of the lungs, and an acquired psychiatric disability caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.  Service personnel records confirm that the Veteran was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the relevant time period.  A VA examination regarding his claimed bilateral eye disability, bronchitis, collapsed left lung, and viral infection of the lungs has not been provided to the Veteran, and the Board finds one is necessary to adjudicate his claims. 
In January 2013, a VA medical opinion was obtained with respect to the Veteran’s claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.  Since the VA medical opinion, the Veteran has submitted an article reflecting that water from Camp Lejeune has been shown to result in neurobehavioral effects.  The Board thus finds an additional VA examination and addendum opinion regarding his claimed psychiatric disability are necessary. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with an appropriate examiner to determine the etiology of any bilateral eye disability, bronchitis, collapsed left lung, viral infection of the lungs and acquired psychiatric disability found to be present. The claims file and a copy of this Remand must be reviewed by the examiner.
Following a review of the claims file, to include service and post-service medical records, and the examination results, the examiner is requested to determine:
a)  Whether any bilateral eye disability is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent probability or more) caused by, or otherwise related to, exposure to contaminated water during the Veteran’s service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s time in service.
b)  Whether any bronchitis is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent probability or more) caused by, or otherwise related to, exposure to contaminated water during the Veteran’s service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s time in service.
c.  Whether a collapsed left lung is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent probability or more) caused by, or otherwise related to, exposure to contaminated water during the Veteran’s service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s time in service.
d.  Whether any viral infection of the lungs is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent probability or more) caused by, or otherwise related to, exposure to contaminated water during the Veteran’s service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s time in service.
e.  Whether any acquired psychiatric disability is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent probability or more) caused by, or otherwise related to, exposure to contaminated water during the Veteran’s service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s time in service.
Any opinion offered should be accompanied by a clear rationale consistent with the evidence of record.  If the examiner finds it impossible to provide any part of the requested opinions without resort to pure speculation, he or she should so indicate and provide a rationale as to why such a finding is made. 
  
CAROLINE B. FLEMING
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A.M. Clark, Counsel