Citation Nr: 21009664 Decision Date: 02/23/21 Archive Date: 02/23/21 DOCKET NO. 15-39 007A DATE: February 23, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for hypertension is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1971 to January 1975. The Board previously remanded this matter in September 2018. Hypertension Per the Board’s September 2018 remand, the Veteran underwent a VA examination regarding the etiology of his hypertension in November 2020. The Board finds, however, that the November 2020 examination opinion is inadequate for adjudication purposes as the examiner did not provide a rationale for the opinion provided. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Obtain a VA opinion examination from a qualified examiner who has not previously examined the Veteran to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hypertension. The entire claims file and a copy of this remand must be made available to the examiner for review. The examiner should provide an opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s hypertension was incurred in, or due to, the Veteran's service, specifically to include his conceded in-service herbicide agent exposure. In providing the above opinion, the examiner should address recent NAS Agent Orange updates which have concluded that there was “limited or suggestive evidence of an association” between hypertension and herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptomology should be recorded and considered. A rationale for all opinions must be provided. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Parrish, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.