Citation Nr: 21074829 Decision Date: 12/16/21 Archive Date: 12/16/21 DOCKET NO. 16-34 258 DATE: December 16, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for kidney disease is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from May 1966 to May 1970. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from March 2015 and May 2015 rating decisions by an Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran testified at a June 2021 virtual hearing held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been recharacterized to broadly reflect that the scope of the claim includes any acquired psychiatric disorder, pursuant to Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1, 5 (2009). The Board finds that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate these claims. The Veteran contends that his kidney disease is due to exposure to carbon tetrachloride during his time in service, including his deployments to Ubon, Thailand, Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) and to Takhli RTAFB. The Veteran's VA treatment records reflect a diagnosis of kidney disease. The Veteran testified at his hearing that in the course of his military occupational specialty (MOS) of aircraft pneudraulic repairman he was exposed to carbon tetrachloride which was used as a cleaning agent for aircraft and that he was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at Ubon RTAFB and Takhli RTAFB. A review of the Veteran's service personnel records establishes his deployments to Ubon RTAFB and to Takhli RTAFB. The Veteran's service personnel records establish that his duties from June 1967 to November 1967, while assigned to Ubon RTAFB, and from November 1967 to May 1968 while assigned to Takhli RTAFB, were that of Aircraft Pneudraulic Repairman. His duties included performing preventive maintenance on aircraft and ground support pneudraulic systems; accomplishing phase and special inspections on aircraft and pneudraulic components; troubleshooting, removing, inspecting, repairing, and replacing aircraft and ground support pneudraulic system components. The Board finds that this is consistent with the Veteran's testimony regarding his duties at Ubon and Takhli RTAFBs. Although the Veteran's military occupational specialty (MOS) was not that of policeman, patrol dog handler, or security guard, which would necessarily place his duties at the perimeter, given the Veteran's presence at Ubon RTAFB and Takhli RTAFB, and his duties at or near the perimeter of the base concerning aircraft repair, he has sufficiently established the likelihood of exposure to areas where tactical herbicides were used in Thailand. While kidney disease is not a disability included among those diseases listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e) for which service connection can be presumed due to herbicide agent exposure, the Veteran may nevertheless show entitlement to service connection for kidney disease, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. See Combee v. Brown, 34 F.3d 1039, 1043 (Fed. Cir. 1994). Further, the used of carbon tetrachloride as a degreasing agent in connection with the Veteran's established duties is consistent, and all reasonable doubt is resolved in his favor. Exposure to carbon tetrachloride is established. Additionally, in August 2021, the Veteran submitted a Public Health Statement from the Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride which suggest a link between exposure to carbon tetrachloride and kidney issues. As there is a current diagnosis, as well as evidence of a potential nexus to a service, examination is required. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). A review of the file reveals the Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination. On remand, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA kidney examination and an opinion as to the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed kidney disease should be provided. The Veteran is also seeking entitlement to service connection for PTSD. At his hearing, he testified to a stressful event in 1968 while in Thailand when he witnessed a crew chief walk in front of a B66 and be "sucked up" by the blades of the jet engine. The Veteran testified that he and others pulled him out and his body was mangled. On remand, efforts to verify this stressor event must be undertaken. A review of the Veteran's VA medical treatment records reflects treatment for PTSD and for anxiety. On remand, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA mental disorders/PTSD examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Associate all outstanding VA treatment records with the file. 2. Take appropriate steps to research the records of 355th Field Maintenance Squad (PACAF) for the incident described by the Veteran between January 1968 and May 1968 when he was assigned to Takhli RTAFB. If multiple requests are necessary to encompass the entirety of the service period, such must be undertaken. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of currently diagnosed kidney disease. The claims folder must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination. The Veteran must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's kidney disease is caused or aggravated by service, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange or exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The examiner must consider and discuss the evidence submitted by the Veteran in August 2021 suggesting a possible link between kidney conditions and exposure to carbon tetrachloride. A full and complete rationale for all opinions expressed is required. 4. Schedule the Veteran for a VA mental disorders/PTSD examination. The claims file must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination. The examiner must identify all currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The examiner must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder was caused or aggravated by service. For purposes of examination, the reported stressor event should be considered verified. 5. Thereafter, readjudicate the remanded issues. If any benefit sought remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case. The case should then be returned to the Board for appellate review if otherwise in order. WILLIAM H. DONNELLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Margaret M. Lunger, 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.