Citation Nr: 18155386
Decision Date: 12/04/18	Archive Date: 12/04/18

DOCKET NO. 16-56 783
DATE:	December 4, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected simple motor tics and to include as due to undiagnosed illness associated with environmental hazards during the Gulf War, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from June 1974 to June 1977 and from January 1991 to May 1991.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a September 2015 rating decision.  
Entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected simple motor tics and to include as due to undiagnosed illness associated with environmental hazards during the Gulf War is remanded.
The Veteran contends he has a dental disorder claimed as dental trauma and as grinding his teeth due to environmental hazards during the Gulf War and/or as secondary to service-connected simple motor tics.  He was afforded a VA examination in October 2016; however, it is unclear whether he has a diagnosis of bruxism and the medical opinion did not include an opinion as to whether his simple motor tics aggravate any dental disorder.  Therefore, an additional VA examination and is required to obtain the necessary medical opinion evidence.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any ongoing treatment records from the Syracuse VA Medical Center pertinent to any dental disorder dating since November 2016.
2. Arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination by a dentist to determine whether any current dental disorder is related to his military service or service-connected simple motor tics.  
For any dental disorder identified, including bruxism, found on examination, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or greater) (1) had its onset during either period of active duty service, (2) is due to exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War, or (3) whether any dental disorder was caused OR is or has been aggravated by his service-connected simple motor tics.  A medical analysis and rationale must be included with all opinions expressed.
 
 
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	L. Kirscher Strauss, Counsel