Citation Nr: 20004454 Decision Date: 01/21/20 Archive Date: 01/21/20 DOCKET NO. 19-06 091A DATE: January 21, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, to include supraventricular arrhythmia with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a thyroid disability, to include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the Army from February 1966 to November 1969. The appeal originates from a November 2017 decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Entitlement to service connection for heart and thyroid disabilities. The Veteran contends that he has heart and thyroid disabilities due to herbicide exposure based on service in Thailand. See August 2017 Statement. Specifically, he asserts that he lived and worked near an area sprayed with herbicide agents and had a two-month assignment burning weeds treated with herbicide agents. Military personnel records show that he served at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base from March 1968 to March 1969 where his principal duty was M/wave radio and system repairman. The records do not note any perimeter duty or herbicide exposure. In February 2019, VA made a formal finding that there was insufficient information to request verification of herbicide gent exposure from the Joint Services Records Research Center. The Veteran was afforded VA heart and thyroid examinations in September 2017. He was diagnosed with a supraventricular arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, an implanted cardiac pacemaker, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and left ventricular hypertrophy as well as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and nodules in the neck of unknown etiology. The RO did not request nexus opinions, therefore none were provided. Though there is some question as to whether herbicide agent exposure has been established, an opinion should be obtained to determine whether the Veteran’s diagnoses are otherwise related to service, to include any exposure to herbicides that are not herbicide agents. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request an addendum opinion from the September 2017 heart and thyroid examiner. The examiner is advised that herbicide agent exposure has not been conceded, however, the examiner should consider whether the Veteran has a current disability that is otherwise related to the Veteran’s active service, to include any exposure to herbicides that are not herbicide agents. a. Is it at least as likely as not that a heart disability, to include supraventricular arrhythmia with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation, had its onset in service; or, within a year of service discharge; or, is otherwise etiologically related to active service? b. Is it at least as likely as not that a thyroid disability, to include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, had its onset in service; or, is otherwise etiologically related to active service? The examiner should provide a complete rationale or medical explanation for each opinion. If the examiner is unable to provide an opinion without resorting to speculation, the examiner should explain why. 2. Then, readjudicate the appeal and return it to the Board if the benefits sought are not granted. MARISSA CAYLOR Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Alhinnawi, 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.