Citation Nr: 20003583 Decision Date: 01/15/20 Archive Date: 01/15/20 DOCKET NO. 15-37 962A DATE: January 15, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease, effective December 6, 2012 to July 11, 2013; and higher than 30 percent, effective November 1, 2013, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from April 1968 to April 1970, which included combat service in Vietnam. 1. Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease, effective December 6, 2012 to July 11, 2013; and higher than 30 percent, effective November 1, 2013, is remanded. Private treatment records show that the Veteran underwent a procedure for right carotid stenosis versus occlusion in September 2014. The postoperative diagnosis was critical right internal carotid artery stenosis. This medical evidence suggests that his coronary artery disease might have increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA in March 2014. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his coronary artery disease. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is remanded. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for a lung disability because no VA examiner has opined whether any diagnosed lung disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during his service in Vietnam; and/or was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from June 2015 to present. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease. The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any lung disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including his in-service herbicide agent exposure. The examiner also should state whether it is at least as likely as not (1) proximately due to service-connected coronary artery disease, or (2) aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected coronary artery disease. A complete and fully explanatory rationale must be provided for any opinion offered. If any opinion cannot be rendered without resorting to speculation, the examiner must explain why. Mary E. Rude Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Sarah B. Richmond 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.