Citation Nr: 21062112 Decision Date: 10/06/21 Archive Date: 10/06/21 DOCKET NO. 20-15 042 DATE: October 6, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, to include chronic pharyngitis and/or laryngitis, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a sinus condition, to include chronic sinusitis, to include as secondary to service-connected disability, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1947 to June 1950. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2018 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office. In February 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the proceeding is of record. These matters were most recently before the Board in May 2021, at which time they were remanded for further development. While further delay is regrettable, the Board finds remand is again necessary. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, to include chronic pharyngitis and/or laryngitis, to include as secondary to service-connected disability. In May 2021, the Board remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, in part, to obtain an opinion as to whether any throat condition is related to service or to the Veteran's service-connected trachoma. An opinion was obtained in May 2021, however, the examiner opined only that the Veteran did not have a documented condition of the pharynx. In August 2021, the Veteran submitted records from a private ear, nose, and throat physician, Dr. B.C., indicating that the Veteran has a diagnosis of chronic laryngitis along with scar tissue of the vocal cords and throat, described by Dr. B.C. as age-related. Accordingly, the Board finds remand is necessary in order to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's chronic laryngitis with scarring is related to the in-service findings of hyperkeratosis of the pharynx or to his service-connected trachoma. On remand, the examiner should also address the contentions raised in the September 2021 brief filed by the Veteran's representative, as well as the medical article cited therein. Specifically, the representative has provided argument regarding the spread, treatment, and potential dormancy of the Veteran's trachoma. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a sinus condition, to include chronic sinusitis, to include as secondary to service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a sinus condition is inextricably intertwined with his throat disability claim. Further, as the arguments raised by the Veteran's representative in the September 2021 brief are also applicable to his sinus claim, an addendum opinion should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: The claims file should be sent to an appropriate examiner, who has not yet provided an opinion in this case, to offer an addendum opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any current sinus or throat condition, to specifically include chronic sinusitis and chronic laryngitis with scarring, had onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The examiner must address any sinus and throat conditions diagnosed during the pendency of the claims. The examiner should also address whether any current disability of the sinuses or throat is at least as likely as not (a) caused by, or (b) aggravated by (worsened beyond natural progression) service-connected trachoma. In offering the opinion, the examiner is asked to consider the arguments set forth by the Veteran's representative in the September 2021 brief, to include the argument that his trachoma was inactive in the eyes but spread to other sites over the years since the Veteran's active-duty service. The need for an examination is left to the discretion of the examiner. A rationale for all opinions offered is requested as adjudicators are precluded from making any medical findings. J. B. FREEMAN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board M. D. Bruce, 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.