Citation Nr: 18143207
Decision Date: 10/18/18	Archive Date: 10/18/18

DOCKET NO. 16-28 540
DATE:	October 18, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for an esophageal reflux and stricture disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1995 to April 2015.  
This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of an October 2015 rating decision of a Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for an esophageal reflux and stricture disability is remanded.
A review of the claims file shows that the Veteran’s last examination was in September 2015.  In his April 2016 notice of disagreement and June 2016 substantive appeal, the Veteran noted that he could not eat and/or swallow many foods unless he ate with behavioral or diet modifications.  He noted that some food would get stuck in his throat and he would need to regurgitate it in order to clear his esophagus.  He reported that often that he had to drink a liquid immediately after swallowing food to assist with the food going down, but sometimes it would not help and instant regurgitation would be necessary.  
Because there may have been changes in the Veteran’s condition since the last VA examination in September 2015, the Board finds that a new esophageal condition examination would assist in fully and fairly evaluating the Veteran’s claim for an increased initial rating.  See Allday v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 517 (1995).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA esophageal condition examination addressing the severity of his service-connected esophageal reflux disability.  The entire claims file must be reviewed by the examiner.  All indicated tests and studies should be conducted.  The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire must be utilized.
Based on the examination and review of the record for the entire claims period, the examiner should document the frequency, duration, and severity of any associated symptomatology.  The examiner is requested to describe the overall severity of the esophageal stricture present (e.g., mild, moderate, or severe).
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A-L Evans, Counsel