Citation Nr: 18157902
Decision Date: 12/14/18	Archive Date: 12/13/18

DOCKET NO. 16-59 278
DATE:	December 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis.
Entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis.
Whether new and material evidence has been received for the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of corneal ulcer with infiltrate.
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scars of the wrists, knees, and left shoulder.
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 for hypertension.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis, status post arthroscopy.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patello femoral arthritis.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist status post-surgical repair scaphoid fracture with traumatic arthritis.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist status post-surgical repair scapholunate ligament with traumatic arthritis.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder acromioclavicular (AC) joint.
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder status post decompressive surgery/left acromioclavicular joint with residual impingement.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for neck pain with degenerative changes and bulging discs.
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral pain with degenerative changes and bulging discs.
Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU).
REASONS FOR REMAND
A VA examiner in June 2016, concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for “claimed throat condition.” The examiner does not refer to the September 9, 1994, diagnosis of bronchitis or the September 19, 1995, diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. It is not clear if these diagnoses would change the conclusions of the examiner. An addendum is needed.
The Veteran was granted vocational rehabilitation in August 2000. His vocational rehabilitation folder should be associated with the e-file.  These records may be relevant to all issues in appellate status.
 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. The RO should obtain the Veteran’s VA vocational rehabilitation folder, and associate it with the e-folder.
2. If she is still available, forward the e-file to the VA examiner that performed the June 2016 evaluation of the Veteran and ask that she (or if she is unavailable, another qualified medical professional) submit an additional addendum statement indicating the likelihood (is it at least as likely as not) that the Veteran’s currently diagnosed bronchitis and allergic rhinitis had their clinical onset during active service or is otherwise etiologically related to any incident of service? 
In providing this opinion, the examiner must acknowledge and consider the inservice diagnoses of bronchitis (September 9, 1994) and allergic rhinitis (September 19, 1995).
 
Whoever is designated to provide this additional comment must discuss the rational for this opinion, whether favorable or unfavorable.
 
Nathaniel J. Doan
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A.D. Jackson, Counsel