Citation Nr: 20005708 Decision Date: 01/23/20 Archive Date: 01/23/20 DOCKET NO. 18-26 021 DATE: January 23, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for emphysema and scarred lung, to include as due to asbestos exposure, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1968 to October 1969. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2017 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In November 2019, the Veteran testified before the undersigned at a Travel Board hearing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A transcript of that hearing has been associated with the virtual file and reviewed. Service connection for emphysema and scarred lung as due to asbestos exposure is remanded. The Veteran contends that his emphysema and scarred lung are due to exposure to asbestos while carrying out his duties in service. A March 2018 VA examination report reflect a diagnosis of emphysema. In a November 2019 correspondence, the Veteran submit the results of a November 2019 CT scan of his chest. It noted, among other things, trace pleuroparenchymal scarring was evident. However, the March 2018 VA examiner provided a negative nexus opinion. The rationale was that the Veteran worked in administration and any exposure to asbestos was likely very low. Rather, his smoking history and other environmental exposures were more likely the cause of his disabilities. At his November 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that the data processing occupation documented in his records was not completely accurate. He explained that he did not do well in school while in the Navy, so when he went back to the ship he no longer at the same job. See 11/07/2019 Hearing Transcript, at 3-4. Once back on the ship he had such duties as cleaning fan rooms, changing filters, scraping wax coatings, cleaning bilge areas in engine room, and fire watch duty in the shipyard without mask, gloves, or protection. Id. at 3-4, 8-9. Personnel records show that the Veteran was dropped from Navy Schools Command in May 1969 for lack of application. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds than an addendum opinion considering these additional duties and exposure is be obtained before adjudication of this matter. (CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE)   This matter is REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s emphysema and scarred lung is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including asbestos exposure related to his duties of cleaning fan rooms, changing filters, scraping wax coatings, cleaning bilge areas in engine room, and fire watch duty in the shipyard. See 11/07/2019 Hearing Transcript, at 3-4, 8-9. A comprehensive rationale for all opinions is to be provided. All pertinent evidence, including both lay and medical, should be considered. If an opinion cannot be given without resorting to speculation, the examiner should explain why and state whether the need to speculate is due to a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (no one could respond given medical science and the known facts), the record (additional facts are required), or the examiner (does not have the knowledge or training). Paul Sorisio Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Cruz, 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.