Citation Nr: 21064292 Decision Date: 10/19/21 Archive Date: 10/19/21 DOCKET NO. 13-21 770A DATE: October 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a nasal disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from July 1968 to April 1972. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2011 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In August 2017, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at a travel Board hearing. A copy of the transcript has been associated with the Veteran's electronic claims folder. In April 2020, the Board denied the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a nasal disability. The Veteran appealed that decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), which in a February 2021 Order and pursuant to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR), vacated the April 2020 denial and remanded the case to the Board. In the February 2021 JMR, the parties agreed that the Board did not address material favorable evidence that "may establish that [the Veteran's] nasal disability was incurred in service and that his current disability is related to service." Specifically, the parties found that in the Board's analysis of whether the Veteran was entitled to a VA examination under McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006), the Board did not address a March 1970 report of medical history which indicated that the Veteran endorsed symptoms of ear, nose and throat trouble and the Veteran's August 2017 Board testimony that his sinus problems began while on active duty in Thailand. Entitlement to service connection for a nasal disability is remanded. In June 2021, the Board remanded the matter to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed nasal disability. In July 2021, the Veteran was afforded a VA examination. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the claimed nasal disability was related to service because there were no complaints of nasal problems in service records. However, the Board finds that the examiner's opinion is based on an inaccurate factual background and therefore is inadequate for adjudication purposes. Once VA undertakes the efforts to provide an examination, even if not required to undertake one, an adequate examination must be provided. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 3030, 311 (2007). Here, the examiner does not address the March 1970 Report of Medical History form which indicates that the Veteran endorsed symptoms of ear, nose and throat trouble. Further, the examiner does not address the Veteran's testimony that his sinus problems began while on active duty in Thailand. Therefore, the Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion which addresses all favorable evidence. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an addendum opinion from the June 2021 VA examiner (or an appropriate medical professional) regarding the Veteran's claimed nasal disability. The Veteran's claims folder, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to the examiner. The examiner is asked to offer an opinion as to the following: Whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran suffers from a nasal disability that is caused by or related to active service. The examiner is requested to address the following: (a) March 1970 Report of Medical History form which indicates that the Veteran endorsed symptoms of ear, nose and throat trouble and (b) Veteran's August 2017 Board hearing testimony where he stated that his nasal problems began while on active duty in Thailand. A complete rationale, with citation to appropriate medical principles, is requested. Michael A. Pappas Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board L. Baskerville 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.