Citation Nr: 18120959
Decision Date: 07/24/18	Archive Date: 07/24/18

DOCKET NO. 16-45 306
DATE:	July 24, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for respiratory conditions is denied.
FINDING OF FACT
There is no competent evidence that the Veteran’s claimed respiratory conditions are associated with service.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for respiratory conditions have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1101, 1131; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.304.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran had active military service from March 1977 to June 1977. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2015 rating decision.


Service Connection
The Veteran is seeking service connection for respiratory conditions that he has associated with service.
No examination was provided regarding this issue. VA must provide a medical examination and medical opinion when there is (1) competent evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability; (2) evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease occurred in service or establishing certain diseases manifesting during an applicable presumptive period for which the claimant qualifies; and (3) an indication that the disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability may be associated with the Veteran’s service or with another service-connected disability. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81-82 (2006). 
The Veteran’s service treatment records are silent for complaints of, treatment for, or a diagnosis of any respiratory condition during active duty service. Post-service medical records show that the Veteran has not been diagnosed with a respiratory condition other than hypertrophy of nasal turbinates and this was diagnosed many years post service. Moreover, there is no credible and competent evidence of record suggesting that the Veteran’s claimed respiratory condition is related to service or began in service. The Board notes that the Veteran has provided no evidence to corroborate the claim. As such, no examination is necessary. See 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(4); McLendon, 20 Vet. App. 79.





For the reasons stated above, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for respiratory conditions. Thus, his appeal as to the claim must be denied. There is no reasonable doubt to be resolved as to the issue. See 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102; Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).
 
M. H. HAWLEY
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Norwood, Associate Counsel