Citation Nr: 21066359 Decision Date: 10/29/21 Archive Date: 10/29/21 DOCKET NO. 18-17 727 DATE: October 29, 2021 REMANDED The issue of entitlement to service connection for the cause of death is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1969 to March 1971. The Veteran passed away in September 1999. The appellant pursues this matter as the Veteran's surviving spouse. In October 2021, the appellant testified at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. Upon review of the file, the Board finds that relevant service personnel records were added to the file following the prior September 2000 denial. Accordingly, the Board does not review the issue on appeal as one to reopen. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.156 (c). Entitlement to service connection for the cause of death. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to final adjudication of the issue on appeal. Specifically, the Board finds that a VA opinion is needed that considers the circumstances and exposures that occurred during the Veteran's service. For example, service personnel records confirm the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam and at Camp Lejeune. Accordingly, exposure to herbicide agents and contaminants in the water supply are conceded, respectively. Further, the appellant has indicated that the Veteran was exposed to fumes from the fuel of helicopters. See Statement, March 2018. The Veteran's service personnel records confirm service as an Aerial Gunner with a helicopter squadron, as well as his duties as a jet helicopter mechanic. In addition, the Veteran's DD 214 shows that while serving in the United States Marine Corps, his duties included training as an "AvmMachMate (Jet)." The Board notes that the Navy MOS of ADJ, Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) has a "probable" probability of exposure to asbestos. Accordingly, the Board asks that this evidence be considered by an examiner. In addition, the Veteran indicated that he was in receipt of benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). See Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension, December 1998. Accordingly, the Board asks that any relevant outstanding SSA records be obtained and associated with the claim file upon remand. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. After securing any necessary consent forms, obtain any outstanding treatment records, to include any VA and/or private treatment records, pertaining to the issue on appeal. In addition, obtain relevant records from the SSA pertaining to any application or award of disability benefits to the Veteran. All efforts 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 VA opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death. The examiner is asked to address the following: (a) Is it at least as likely as not (i.e., a 50 percent or greater probability) that any principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death is related to his active service? (b) Is it at least as likely as not that any principal or contributory cause of the Veteran's death was related to his service-connected residuals, fractures of right 5th and 6th ribs? (At the time of the Veteran's death, he was service connected for residuals, fractures of right 5th and 6th ribs. See Notification letter, May 1972.) In addressing the above, the examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam, as well as his exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. In addition, the examiner should address the Veteran's exposure to fumes from the fuel of helicopters, as well as potential probable exposure to asbestos during service. Further, the Board notes that that a March 1969 service treatment record indicates complaints of pains in chest with a cough, and May 1970 service treatment record indicates cough for two days. 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, 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.