Citation Nr: 18151035
Decision Date: 11/16/18	Archive Date: 11/16/18

DOCKET NO. 16-46 059
DATE:	November 16, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for Crohn’s disease, to include colitis, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from July 1968 to November 1969. 
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2014 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 
1. Entitlement to service connection for Crohn’s disease, to include colitis, is remanded.
The Veteran contends that his currently diagnosed Crohn’s disease had its onset during his active service.  Specifically, the Veteran states that his colitis symptoms began in service and progressed to Crohn’s disease, as diagnosed in June 1989.  VA obtained an opinion in December 2014 that found it less likely than not that Crohn’s disease was caused by or a result of a single episode of in-service diarrhea in July 1968.  
Subsequent to that opinion, the Veteran submitted VA treatment records beginning in June 1972 reflecting complaints of soft stools dating back at least 2 years and a diagnosis of colitis in March 1973.  The Board finds that an addendum opinion should be obtained to address the Veteran’s history of colitis in relation to his active service.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. After obtaining any necessary releases, obtain any outstanding VA and private treatment records pertinent to the Veteran’s claim.
2. Thereafter, obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s colitis and/or Crohn’s disease at least as likely as not 
(50 percent probability or greater) manifested during service or is causally related to his active service.  The examiner must review the claims file and address the Veteran’s assertions that he has had ongoing loose stool since service discharge in November 1969. The examiner must also specifically discuss treatment records beginning in June 1972 showing complaints of loose stool dating back 2 years ultimately leading to a diagnosis of colitis in March 1973.   
A complete rationale must be provided for all opinions offered.  If any opinion cannot be offered without resort to mere speculation, the examiner must fully explain why this is the case.  
If the examiner determines that an additional examination is required to sufficiently address the above questions, 

then the Veteran must be scheduled for such an examination.
 
CAROLINE B. FLEMING
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Lindsey Connor