Citation Nr: 21005791 Decision Date: 02/02/21 Archive Date: 02/02/21 DOCKET NO. 18-34 213A DATE: February 2, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an inner ear condition is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for vertigo is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an intestinal condition, to include irritable bowel syndrome, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active military service from October 1962 to October 1966 and from March 1972 to May 1975. This appeal comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a February 2014 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran provided sworn testimony in support of his appeal during a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in December 2020; the hearing transcript has been associated with the file and has been reviewed. 1. Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for an inner ear condition is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for vertigo is remanded. 4. Entitlement to service connection for an intestinal condition, to include irritable bowel syndrome, is remanded. The Veteran contends that his headache, inner ear, vertigo, and intestinal conditions all onset in service and are causally related to his service. The Veteran testified that he first started getting headaches in service when providing gunfire support in Vietnam and stated that he also got headaches when he would transition climates. He reported he continues to have headaches. The Veteran testified that he has experienced motion sickness since service and has taken allergy medication to alleviate his vertigo as the condition has been attributed to congestion or damage in his inner ear. The Veteran described his issue as sea sickness but noted that it would occur even when ashore if he didn’t take decongestants. The Veteran testified that he has had intestinal issues since service when he would eat Asian food and has continued to have the same problems since if he eats certain foods. Unfortunately, not all of the Veteran’s service treatment records are available. However, the Veteran’s August 1967 report of medical history is of record. On that form, the Veteran reported having car, train, sea or air sickness. The Board notes that the Veteran’s exposure to Agent Orange in service is presumed based on his service. The Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination of his claimed conditions and an etiology opinion obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination of his claimed headache condition. For each claimed condition, the examiner should opine as to a diagnosis or cause of the Veteran’s reported symptomatology. For each condition diagnosed, the examiner should then opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition onset in service; is causally related to service, to include the Veteran’s in-service exposure to Agent Orange; or is caused or aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran’s lay statements as to the onset of his headaches in service must be discussed. A full rational should be provided for all opinions expressed. 2. Arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination of his claimed inner ear and vertigo conditions. For each claimed condition, the examiner should opine as to a diagnosis or cause of the Veteran’s reported symptomatology. For each condition diagnosed, the examiner should then opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition onset in service; is causally related to service, to include the Veteran’s in-service exposure to Agent Orange; or is caused or aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran’s lay statements as to the onset of his inner ear problems and vertigo in service must be discussed. A full rational should be provided for all opinions expressed. 3. Arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination of his claimed intestinal condition. For each claimed condition, the examiner should opine as to a diagnosis or cause of the Veteran’s reported symptomatology. For each condition diagnosed, the examiner should then opine whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition onset in service; is causally related to service, to include the Veteran’s in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran’s lay statements as to the onset of his intestinal problems in service must be discussed. A full rational should be provided for all opinions expressed. H. SEESEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Christensen 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.