Citation Nr: 20002191 Decision Date: 01/10/20 Archive Date: 01/09/20 DOCKET NO. 17-25 187 DATE: January 10, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for residuals of spinal meningitis, to include headaches, dizziness, back and neck aches, and nosebleeds, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1945 to August 1946. In March 2018, the Veteran testified before the undersigned at a Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) videoconference hearing. A transcript of the hearing is of record. In July 2018, the Board remanded this matter for additional evidentiary development. Service connection for symptoms claimed as residuals of spinal meningitis The Veteran has credibly testified that he contracted meningitis as part of an outbreak while stationed at Camp Perry, Virginia, in December 1945. He contends that he has suffered from chronic headaches, dizziness, back and neck aches, and nosebleeds since that time, which he claims resulted from this episode. Although the Veteran’s service treatment records do not corroborate his reports of a meningitis outbreak, the Board accepts these credible reports as evidence of in-service incurrence. Moreover, the Board notes that the Veteran filed a claim for disability compensation for fevers, nosebleeds, and headaches in June 1950, just a few years after his discharge (the claim was denied in an October 1950 rating decision). The Veteran underwent a VA central nervous system examination in June 2019. The report reflects that the examiner determined the Veteran did not have a central nervous system condition, to include meningitis. On review, however, the Board finds that the examiner’s opinion is inadequate, as it did not fully address the Veteran’s descriptions of his symptoms and medical history. Specifically, the opinion addressed only those symptoms attributable to the Veteran’s musculoskeletal disabilities and did not address his credible lay reports of headaches, dizziness, and nosebleeds since service. A claim of service connection encompasses all pertinent symptomatology, regardless of how that symptomatology is diagnosed. See Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1, 5, 9 (2009). Here, the Veteran has indicated his willingness to undergo additional examination. VA’s failure to adequately address the full extent of his symptomatology requires that a new examination be provided. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007) (when VA undertakes to provide a VA examination or obtain an opinion, it must ensure that the examination or opinion is adequate). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of current symptoms identified as headaches, dizziness, neck and back aches, and nosebleeds. The examiner must respond to the following: (a) Clarify any current diagnoses pertaining to the Veteran’s claimed symptomatology, to include headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, and neck and back aches. (b) Opine as to whether any of the resulting diagnoses are at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) incurred in or related to the Veteran’s service, to include the Veteran’s reported in-service diagnosis of meningitis. Specifically discuss the Veteran’s lay reports of continuous headaches, dizziness, back and neck aches, and nosebleeds since his separation from service. If the examiner cannot provide an opinion without resort to speculation, the examiner should provide an explanation as to why this is so, and must state whether there is additional evidence that would permit the necessary opinion to be made. A. S. CARACCIOLO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Minot, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.