Citation Nr: 18150855
Decision Date: 11/16/18	Archive Date: 11/15/18

DOCKET NO. 15-23 079A
DATE:	November 16, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for asthma, to include as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 2006 through November 2008.
This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (the Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Veteran testified before the undersigned at a hearing held October 2018. During the hearing, the Veteran testified that her asthma, which is not service-connected, is caused by her service-connected disability of allergic rhinitis. 
The Board acknowledges that some treatment records indicate a possible relationship between the Veteran’s asthma and her service-connected allergic rhinitis.  A July 2016 medical statement, from Dr. E.K., suggests that the Veteran’s lung symptoms are a result of her allergies.  However, this conclusory opinion, without more of a supporting rationale, is inadequate to adjudicate the Veteran’s claim.  As such, an adequate VA opinion which is properly supported by a thorough and reasoned rationale must be obtained upon remand.  

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for medical records from Allergy & Asthma Center.  
After authorization is received, obtain any treatment records.  Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory airway disease, to include asthma. 
The examiner is specifically requested to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s asthma was caused or aggravated by any of her service-connected disabilities, to include allergic rhinitis. 
The opinion must address both facets of: 
1) whether the asthma was caused by the Veteran’s service-connected allergic rhinitis, AND 
2) whether the Veteran’s service-connected allergic rhinitis was aggravated by her service-connected allergic rhinitis.

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The examiner is asked to provide a full rationale for any opinions expressed.
 
H.M. WALKER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	N.B. Mmeje, Associate Counsel