Citation Nr: 18150197 Decision Date: 11/14/18 Archive Date: 11/14/18 DOCKET NO. 16-24 895A DATE: November 14, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active naval service from July 1964 to August 1972. This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in San Diego, California. The Board notes that the Veteran submitted a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in August 2017, indicating that he disagrees with an July 2017 rating decision; which denied service connection for sleep apnea. As it appears the NOD is under review with the RO, the Board will not take jurisdiction over that issue at this time. The Board also notes that the Veteran has perfected an appeal of the denial of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. However, that issue is not ready for adjudication by the Board, and will be the subject of a subsequent Board decision. Service Connection – Bronchitis The Board finds that additional development is warranted before the claim on appeal is decided. The Veteran has asserted that his bronchitis is related to his active service. Private medical records indicate that the Veteran was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis in March 2010. Service treatment records (STRs) document that the Veteran was diagnosed with bronchitis in January 1972. In light of the in-service treatment for bronchitis and the current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed chronic bronchitis. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). Additionally, current treatment records should be identified and obtained before a decision is made in this case. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file. 2. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present bronchitis. The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed by the examiner. Any indicated studies should be performed. Based on the examination results and the review of the record, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that any currently present bronchitis had its onset during active service, or is otherwise etiologically related to active service. In forming the opinion, the examiner should consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding he onset and continuity of his symptoms. The examiner should also address the in-service diagnosis of bronchitis. The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. 3. Confirm that the VA examination report and all medical opinions provided comport with this remand, and undertake any other development determined to be warranted. 4. Then, readjudicate the claim. If the decision remains adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response. Then, return the case to the Board. Kristin Haddock Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Christina Quant, Law Clerk