Citation Nr: 21013290 Decision Date: 03/09/21 Archive Date: 03/09/21 DOCKET NO. 15-21 764 DATE: March 9, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service in the United States Marine Corps from April 1970 to March 1972. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran requested a hearing before the Board in his June 2015 substantive appeal (VA Form 9). The hearing was scheduled for November 2018. However, the Veteran did not appear for the scheduled hearing or subsequently request that a new hearing be scheduled. His hearing request is thus considered withdrawn. Although the Board sincerely regrets the additional delay this will cause, further development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these appeals. Specifically, the Veteran underwent VA examinations for the claimed disorders in March 2014. Although negative nexus opinions were provided at that time, the examiner’s opinions are inadequate for their failure to address the following: the Veteran’s contention that his disorders are related to in-service exposure to gas and oil fumes; a 1971 service treatment record documenting the Veteran’s reports of headaches due to blurred vision while reading; and the Veteran’s reports of chronic sinus symptoms since service. As such, remand for an addendum opinion is necessary at this time. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an addendum opinion addressing the questions below.  If the reviewing examiner determines that the opinions requested may not be offered without first examining the Veteran, then consider whether a telehealth interview may be appropriate.  Schedule an in-person examination only if deemed necessary to answer the questions below.    The claims file and a copy of this remand must be made available for review, and the examination report must reflect that review of the claims file occurred.    In particular, the examiner must address the following: (a.) For each current sinus and headache disorder, opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) that the condition began during a period of active duty service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to service? The examiner must explicitly address the following in his/her opinions: (i.) An October 1970 service treatment record of sinus symptoms; (ii.) A 1971 service treatment record noting a history of headaches due to blurred vision while reading; (iii.) The Veteran’s reports of in-service exposure to gas and oil fumes from the heating unit in his barracks; (iv.) The Veteran’s reports of chronic symptoms since service. In formulating the opinions, the examiner is advised that the term “at least as likely as not” does not mean “within the realm of possibility.”  Rather, it means that the weight of the medical evidence for and against the claim is so evenly divided that it is as medically sound to find in favor of the claim as it is to find against it.   [CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE] A complete rationale should be provided for all opinions or conclusions expressed.  It should be noted that the Veteran is competent to attest to observable symptomatology.  If there is a medical basis to support or doubt the history provided by the Veteran, the examiner should provide a fully reasoned explanation.  Kate E. Kovarovic Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Mouzakis, 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.