Citation Nr: 21073643
Decision Date: 12/09/21	Archive Date: 12/09/21

DOCKET NO. 20-00 300A
DATE: December 9, 2021

REMANDED

The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypogammaglobulinemia is remanded.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for kidney disease is remanded.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for non-Hodgkins lymphoma status post peripheral stem cell transplant is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from November 1964 to August 1968.

This appeal is from a February 2018 rating decision.

1. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypogammaglobulinemia is remanded.

2. The claim of entitlement to service connection for kidney disease is remanded.

3. The claim of entitlement to service connection for non-hodgkins lymphoma status post peripheral stem cell transplant is remanded.

The Veteran asserts that his claimed disabilities are a result of toxic environmental exposures from the areas in which he served.  His record confirms that he was stationed at Hamilton and Hickam Air Force Bases, and that he was briefly at Travis Air Force Base and Fort McClellan.  He has further provided information and evidence regarding the contaminants found at these bases.  Hamilton and Hickam Air Force Bases, in particular, have been identified as Superfund Sites by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  A response through Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval Systems (DPRIS), in response to a query regarding the Veteran's in-service environmental exposures, indicates that the AOJ should contact the Air Force Historical Research Agency and also Armed Forces Pest Management Board.  This apparently was not done.

A medical opinion shall be obtained regarding whether any of his disabilities are related to any such exposures.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Associated updated VA treatment records with the claims file.

2. Request additional information from the Veteran regarding the environmental exposures he claims during active service.  Attempt to verify any claimed exposures through official sources as indicated in the DPRIS response.

3. Forward the claims file to a physician for an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypogammaglobulinemia, kidney disease, and/or non-Hodgkins lymphoma are as likely as not (50/50 probability or greater) related to any indicated toxic exposures during his service.  

If an in-person examination is required in order to provide an opinion, the examiner is asked to so notify the scheduling authority.  All opinions are to be supported with explanation.

  

 

Jennifer White

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. Gibson

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.