Citation Nr: 21006685 Decision Date: 02/04/21 Archive Date: 02/04/21 DOCKET NO. 16-53 526A DATE: February 4, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for hypertension is remanded. Service connection for right hand arthritis is remanded. Service connection for left hand arthritis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from August 1967 to May 1971. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2014 rating decision. Hypertension During the pendency of the appeal, the National Academy of Science found that there is “sufficient evidence” of an association for hypertension and exposure to Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. See Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 11 (2018), of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS). The Veteran had active service in Vietnam and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during service. In light of the recent NAS studies’ findings, the Board finds that a medical opinion must be obtained which considers this report and addresses whether the Veteran’s hypertension is etiologically related to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents. Right and Left Hand Arthritis The Veteran contends that he has arthritis in both his right and left hands due to service. No VA examination has been performed regarding the disability. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain a VA examination to properly adjudicate the claim. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension. The claims file should be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not that hypertension is related to in-service herbicide agent exposure. In making this determination, the examiner should consider the recent findings of the National Academy of Science that there is “sufficient evidence” of an association for hypertension and exposure to Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. A rationale for the opinion must be provided. 2. Schedule an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hand disability, to include arthritis. The claims file should be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. All indicated tests and studies should be performed. After reviewing the file, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not that any right and left hand disability was caused by or is related to active duty service. A rationale for the opinion must be provided. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Jorge Barroso, 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.