Citation Nr: 20008362
Decision Date: 01/31/20	Archive Date: 01/31/20

DOCKET NO. 18-27 584
DATE: January 31, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for myelodysplatic syndrome is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from January 1962 to January 1966.

In January 2020, the Veteran testified at videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge.

Entitlement to service connection for myelodysplatic syndrome is remanded.

The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to final adjudication of the issue on appeal.  First, the Board finds that outstanding treatment records must be obtained and associated with the claim file.  For example, the Veteran indicated treatment at VA B.C. and VA H.I.  See VA Form 21-526EZ, May 2016.  However, it does not appear that VA obtained treatment records from these facilities after May 2016.  Upon remand, the Board asks that these, and any other outstanding records, be obtained and associated with the claim file.  

After outstanding records have been obtained, the Board asks that a nexus opinion be obtained that addresses the etiology of the disability on appeal.

Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. After securing any necessary consent forms from the Veteran, obtain any outstanding treatment records, to include any VA and/or private treatment records, pertaining to the issue on appeal.  In particular, the Board notes that the Veteran indicated treatment at VA B.C. and VA H.I.  See VA Form 21-526EZ, May 2016.  All efforts to obtain these records should be documented in the claim file.  If any records could not be obtained, this should be noted in the claim file.

2. Upon completion of the above, obtain a medical opinion that addresses the etiology of the claimed disability on appeal.  If necessary, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.  The examiner is asked to address whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., a 50 percent or greater probability) that the claimed disability was caused by the Veteran’s active duty service.  In particular, the examiner should address the Veteran’s claimed exposure to herbicides.

The VA examiner should be given access to the claim file.  The examiner should state that a review of the claim file was completed.  The examiner must provide a comprehensive report including complete rationales for all opinions and conclusions reached, citing the objective medical findings leading to the conclusions.  A detailed rationale is requested for all opinions provided.

 

3. If upon completion of the above action the issue is denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

 

 

E. I. VELEZ

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	K. Foster, 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.