Citation Nr: 21005730 Decision Date: 02/02/21 Archive Date: 02/02/21 DOCKET NO. 16-37 094 DATE: February 2, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1997 to November 1997 and from October 2001 to December 2002. This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2014 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office. In September 2019, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the electronic claims file. In January 2020, the Board remanded the matter for further development. Now the matter is returned the Board. However, the Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the matter. In the January 2020 Remand order, the Board instructed the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to obtain an addendum medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s IBS. In particular, the examiner was asked to opine on whether the Veteran’s current IBS is at least as likely as not related to service, to include as due to his exposure to environmental contaminants, including but not limited to, chemical weapons, radiation, fuel and solvent plumes, asbestos, groundwater contamination. The Board notes that the Veteran was afforded a VA examination for intestinal conditions in February 2020, and the February 2020 provided an addendum opinion. However, the February 2020 only discussed the Veteran’s onset of the symptoms and did not addressed the Board’s question on whether his in-service exposure to environmental contaminants is related to his current IBS disability. As such, there has not been substantial compliance with the Board’s previous remand directives; thus, another remand is required. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998). Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from the February 2020 VA examiner regarding the Veteran’s service connection claim for IBS. If the February 2020 VA examiner is not available, the requested opinion with rationale should be rendered by another appropriate medical professional. If the examiner determines that a new examination is necessary, the AOJ should schedule one for the Veteran. The examiner should review the Veteran’s claims file and a copy of this REMAND order before rendering the requested addendum opinion. (a.) The examiner must opine whether the Veteran’s current IBS condition is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) incurred in or caused by his service, to include as due to his exposure to environmental contaminants, including but not limited to, chemical weapons, radiation, fuel and solvent plumes, asbestos, groundwater contamination. (b.) The examiner is asked to consider the article submitted by the Veteran in May 2013, entitled “Environmental Conditions at Karshi Khanabad (K-2)” which is associated with the Veteran’s electronic claims folder when providing an opinion. (c.) The examiner must provide a complete written rationale for any opinion offered. 2. After completing the above actions and any other necessary development, the issue on appeal must be readjudicated. If the claim remains denied, a Supplemental Statement of the Case must be provided to the Veteran and his representative. After the Veteran and his representative have had an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review. MICHAEL LANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. E. Kim, Associate 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.