Citation Nr: 21076440 Decision Date: 12/23/21 Archive Date: 12/23/21 DOCKET NO. 16-05 738A DATE: December 23, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for asthma is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1981 to April 1981. He also had approximately 20 years of Reserve service and National Guard service thereafter until June 2002, with various periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). He died in December 2016 and his surviving spouse has been granted substation in this case. Although the appellant requested a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge and twice the scheduled hearings were postponed and rescheduled, she did not appear for the August 2021 hearing despite being properly notified. While the November 2021 Informal Hearing Presentation (IHP) indicated that VA should once again attempt to contact the appellant to determine if she still desires a hearing, the Board notes that the July 2021 letter notifying her of the August 2021 hearing date, time and location was sent to her address of record and the IHP did not state that her representative had any direct knowledge regarding whether she in fact wanted to reschedule her hearing again. The record clearly reflects that VA emailed her, attempted to call but could not leave a message, and sent a July 2021 letter to her address of record informing her of the most recently scheduled August 2021 hearing. As there is no indication in the record that the appellant has actually requested that the hearing be rescheduled, the hearing request is considered withdrawn. The Board points out that there is no prejudice to the appellant in so finding because the case is being remanded herein, and she will have another opportunity on remand to request a hearing if she in fact desires one. The Veteran contended that service connection was warranted for asthma because it began in service in 1993 and continued ever since. He also claimed that it was aggravated during another period of service in February 2002. The service treatment records (STRs) for the Veteran's period of active service from January 1981 to April 1981 do not reflect any breathing problems, other related complaints, findings or treatment, or diagnosis of asthma. The March 1981 separation examination report noted normal examination of the lungs as well. The STRs also reflect that in an August 9, 1989, report of medical history, the Veteran denied asthma but endorsed shortness of breath. Moreover, the August 1989 evaluation of the lungs was deemed normal. An August 15, 1993, periodic examination reflected normal evaluation of the lungs. The medical provider noted that the Veteran reported occasional shortness of breath and chest pain with physical training. On the August 15, 1993, report of medical history, the Veteran reported shortness of breath, and the medical provider indicated that the Veteran reported asthma, but that there was no diagnosis and no sequelae. An August 15, 1993 statement of medical examination and duty status indicated that the Veteran was seen for complaints of chest pain that had been present for a year and a half. It was doubted that the symptoms were aggravated by "AT," but he was not sure. The assessment was atypical chest pain. June and August 1995 STRs indicated that the Veteran had asthma and used inhalers. An August 1995 periodic examination revealed normal evaluation of the lungs. An October 1996 STR stated that the Veteran was seen for complaints of asthma. He was noted to be on two asthma medications. A January 2000 periodic examination noted a diagnosis of asthma. The accompanying report of medical history reflected that he had a 12 year history of asthma. A February 1, 2002 state of medical examination and duty status indicated that the Veteran was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital for an asthma exacerbation. It was noted that he had increased wheezing and shortness and breath for 24 hours prior to admission. Although there are VA medical opinions of record regarding the Veteran's first period of active service in 1981 and regarding whether the Veteran's asthma preexisted his service in 2002 and whether it was aggravated during such service, there is no information in the record regarding what type of service the Veteran was performing in 1989 when he first complained of shortness of breath or in 1993 when he reported asthma. In this regard, there are service personnel records in the claims file which contain active duty points and some dates of active duty and ACDUTRA as well as duty assignments, but they do not go past June 1987. As such, a remand is required in order to determine all dates of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA during the Veteran's Reserve service. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Confirm all of the Veteran's Reserve and National Guard service dates, specifically noting the dates of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, from July 1987 to June 2002. G. E. Wilkerson Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board E. Redman, 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.