Citation Nr: 21076701 Decision Date: 12/27/21 Archive Date: 12/27/21 DOCKET NO. 16-57 473 DATE: December 27, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for mononucleosis is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for arthritis is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for tonsillitis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably in the United States Army from December 1955 to January 1958. In August 2021, the Veteran testified before the undersigned at a Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) virtual hearing. A transcript of the hearing is of record. Claims on Appeal The Veteran contends that he suffers from residual symptoms stemming from in-service bouts with mononucleosis, arthritis, and tonsillitis. His service treatment records confirm that he was treated for these conditions in service in 1956 and 1957. However, the records seem to indicate that these conditions were acute in nature; they do not establish chronicity. In November 2015, the Veteran was afforded VA examinations for infectious diseases and tonsillitis. The reports reflect the examiner's conclusion that while the Veteran did develop mononucleosis and tonsillitis in service, the evidence established that these conditions resolved, as no current sequelae were identified. (The Veteran was not afforded an examination for his arthritis.) At the Veteran's Board hearing, he disagreed with the VA examiner's findings, stating that he continues to suffer from facial paralysis, sore and irritated throat, and joint pain which he believes to be associated with his in-service diagnoses. Thereafter, the Veteran submitted a positive nexus opinion from a private physician (dated in September 2021) in which the physician opined that the three claimed conditions were related to service. Unfortunately, the physician did not include a rationale in support of this finding. The Board finds that updated VA examinations are required prior to adjudicating these claims. On review, it does not appear that the November 2015 VA examination reports of record adequately took into consideration the Veteran's lay reports of his current symptoms. The Board notes that the Veteran is competent to report his observable symptoms, and his contentions deserve to be considered by a medical professional. See Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372, 1377 (Fed. Cir. 2007). Moreover, it would be helpful to have an updated medical opinion so as to reconcile the conflicting evidence of record. Finally, the Veteran asserted at his Board hearing that he was seen by private care providers for his claimed conditions. He should be informed of the necessary steps needed to attempt to obtain any such records. A remand is warranted. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA medical records pertaining to the Veteran, to include records dating from November 2015 to the present. 2. Contact the Veteran and request that he provide any outstanding, relevant medical records in his possession, to include records from private facilities. If the Veteran has located the address and contact information of any such facilities, he should provide this information to VA by filling out the appropriate authorization forms (such as a VA Form 21-4142) so that VA may attempt to obtain the records. Then make all necessary and reasonable attempts to obtain the records. The Veteran should be notified of all actions in this regard, including if any records are not available. 3. Schedule the Veteran for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed mononucleosis, arthritis, and tonsillitis. The clinicians must respond to the following: (a) Clarify any relevant diagnoses pertaining to the Veteran's contentions relating to these conditions, to include his reports of facial paralysis, throat pain and throat irritation, and joint pain. (Continued on the next page) (b) Opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any current diagnoses relating to the Veteran's claimed conditions were incurred in active service or are otherwise related to active service. Specifically consider the positive nexus opinion provided in September 2021 by the Veteran's private physician. The clinicians are advised that the Veteran is competent to report symptoms, treatment, events, and injuries, including those that occurred in service, and that his assertions must be taken into account, along with the other evidence of record, in formulating the requested medical opinions. A. S. CARACCIOLO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Minot, 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.