Citation Nr: 20052280 Decision Date: 08/06/20 Archive Date: 08/06/20 DOCKET NO. 17-38 622 DATE: August 6, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for thyroid disability, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1964 to January 1966. In December 2018, the Board remanded the claim for further development. The Veteran has been diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism and/or goiter. He asserts that his thyroid problem was caused by the Agent Orange (AO) he was exposed to in Vietnam. The Board notes in the November 2013 rating decision, VA conceded AO exposure. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) stated that there is evidence of an association between exposure to certain herbicides and hypothyroidism. The NAS also considered the body of epidemiologic data, in combination with strong biologic plausibility, to represent limited or suggestive evidence of an association between exposure to herbicides and hypothyroidism. Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 11 (2018), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS). The Board notes that there has not been a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran’s hypothyroidism is related to his AO exposure. As such, the Board finds that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s disability. 38 C.F.R. § 3.159; see also McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 86 (2006). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the Veteran’s file. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hypothyroidism. The complete record, to include a copy of this remand and the claims folder must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination. The examination report must include a notation that this record review took place. Any indicated tests and studies must be conducted. Based on a review of the entire record, the examiner should respond to the following: i. Identify any current thyroid condition. ii. For any diagnosed condition, the examiner must opine: Whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s thyroid condition was incurred in, or otherwise related to his time on active service, to include conceded exposure to herbicide agents. The supporting rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. If an opinion cannot be offered without speculation, the examiner should fully explain what specific information is necessary before an opinion can be offered or why exactly an opinion cannot be offered. 3. Then, readjudicate the issue on appeal. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, furnish the Veteran and his representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case and afford them the opportunity to respond before the file is returned to the Board for further consideration. MICHAEL LANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Moore 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.