Citation Nr: 21007350 Decision Date: 02/09/21 Archive Date: 02/09/21 DOCKET NO. 18-24 290 DATE: February 9, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a respiratory disorder as due to environmental exposures to include asbestos is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from April 1969 to April 1973. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2016 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). A virtual Board hearing was held in December 2020 before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge and the hearing transcript is associated with the record. A remand is required in order to obtain a VA addendum in order to address the Veteran's contentions of in-service exposure diesel fumes. Where VA provides the veteran with an examination in a service connection claim, the examination must be adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 311 (2007). Generally, a medical opinion should address the appropriate theories of entitlement. Stefl v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 120, 123-24 (2007). A March 2018 VA examination report shows that the examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran’s respiratory disability to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and restrictive lung disease was less likely than not related to active service to include exposure to asbestos. The examiner considered the Veteran’s assertions of exposure to asbestos during service from working on landing craft ships which required wrapping and unwrapping of pipes containing asbestos. The examiner noted that while asbestos exposure could cause pleural plaque, pleural effusion, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, the Veteran’s conditions of asthma, restrictive airway disease, and COPD were not directly linked to asbestos exposure. The examiner cited to medical literature to support this conclusion. During the December 2020 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that his respiratory disability was caused by his exposure to diesel fuels and exhaust during active service through his duties as a mechanic on landing craft. The Veteran’s representative also cited to medical literature regarding the relationship between occupational exposure and the Veteran’s respiratory disability. While the March 2018 VA examiner provided an adequate opinions as to whether the Veteran’s in-service exposure to asbestos caused his respiratory disability, no opinion was provided as to the relationship, if any, between the respiratory disability and exposure to diesel fumes. The Board finds that a VA opinion is required in order to address whether the Veteran’s respiratory disability is related to service to include exposure to diesel fumes. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of each diagnosed respiratory disability, to include COPD, asthma, and restrictive lung disease. If an examination is deemed necessary, one must be provided. The entire claims file must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner. An explanation for all opinions expressed must be provided. The examiner must provide an opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that each diagnosed respiratory disability, to include COPD, asthma, and respiratory lung disease, had onset in, or is otherwise related to, active service to include as due to exposure to asbestos and diesel fumes. The examiner is asked to address any relevant medical literature. K. MILLIKAN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Dworkin, 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.