Citation Nr: 18150968
Decision Date: 11/16/18	Archive Date: 11/16/18

DOCKET NO. 16-42 788
DATE:	November 16, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for lung cancer, to include as due to asbestos exposure, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active naval service from October 1976 to November 1984.
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2014 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in St. Louis, Missouri. 
The Board finds additional development is required before the claim on appeal can be decided.
A review of the record shows the Veteran was afforded a VA examination for his lung cancer in November 2014.  At that time, the VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s lung cancer was less likely as not due to asbestos exposure, and more likely due to the Veteran’s tobacco use.  The Board finds the November 2014 VA medical opinion inadequate to adjudicate the claim.  In this regard, the VA medical opinion does not adequately address the Veteran’s lay statements and contentions.  
Thus, the Board concludes that the Veteran should be afforded another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung cancer.  
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 by an examiner with sufficient expertise to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s lung cancer.  The examiner should review the claims file and indicate that review in the report.  Any indicated studies should be performed.  
Based upon the examination results and a review of the record, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any lung cancer is etiologically related to service, to include exposure to asbestos sustained therein.  In forming the opinion, the examiner should address the Veteran’s service treatment records indicating complaint of, and treatment for cough and difficulty breathing.
The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided.
3. Confirm that the VA examination report and all opinions provided comport with this remand, and undertake any other development found to be warranted.
4. Then, readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the decision is 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	Mariah N. Sim, Associate Counsel