Citation Nr: 20030133 Decision Date: 04/29/20 Archive Date: 04/29/20 DOCKET NO. 16-07 735 DATE: April 29, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for hay fever is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1982 to October 1991. This matter again comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2012 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Guaynabo, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Board previously remanded this matter in November 2018. Hay Fever Unfortunately, another remand is required in this case. The Board sincerely regrets the additional delay, but further evidentiary development is necessary before the Veteran’s claim can be adjudicated on the merits. After the November 2018 remand, additional service treatment records regarding the Veteran’s hospitalization in May 1982 for acute respiratory disease have been obtained and associated with the claims file. Furthermore, the Board notes that the Veteran has asserted different instances of onset of his condition. See January 2016 Decision Review Officer Hearing Testimony (Veteran states that his hay fever began during service from 1984-1988 when he was stationed in Honduras); April 2004 VA C&P Examination (Veteran claims his symptoms began in 1988 while stationed in Germany). Moreover, the Veteran’s service treatment records indicate numerous reports of symptoms involving upper respiratory infections and colds. See June 1990 Service Treatment Records; November 1990 Service Treatment Records; October 1989 Service Treatment Records; March 1984 Service Treatment Records; May 1982 Service Treatment Records. Considering the medical evidence of record, and the Veteran’s assertions that his hay fever began in service, the Board finds that an examination as to the nature and etiology of his hay fever is warranted. See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81 (2006) (an examination must be obtained if there is competent evidence of a current disability, evidence of an in-service event, injury, or disease, an indication that the current disability may be associated with the veteran’s service . . . and there is otherwise insufficient competent medical evidence to decide on the claim). The Board acknowledges that there was an examination in April 2004, wherein the examiner found that the Veteran has allergic rhinitis, but the examiner could not conclude whether it was at least as likely as not that his condition was etiologically related to service. Accordingly, the Board finds that a new examination and opinion are warranted. Id. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hay fever. The entire claims file, including a copy of this remand, must be provided to the examiner, who must note its review. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s hay fever manifested during, or is the result of, his active service. In formulating his or her opinion, the examiner is asked to consider all competent medical and lay evidence of record, including but not limited to, the Veteran’s service treatment records, the Veteran’s post-service treatment records, and the Veteran’s assertions that his hay fever began in service. If the examiner determines that the Veteran’s hay fever is less likely than not due to active service, the examiner should discuss what other factor(s) caused the disorder. The examiner must provide a comprehensive report that includes a complete rationale for all opinions and conclusions reached. ERIC S. LEBOFF Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Seserman 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.