Citation Nr: 21014307 Decision Date: 03/11/21 Archive Date: 03/11/21 DOCKET NO. 17-28 637A DATE: March 11, 2021 REMANDED An initial compensable rating for restrictive lung disease. An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. Service connection for a skin disorder. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Service connection for sinusitis. Service connection for headaches. Service connection for spontaneous ecchymosis. Service connection for a low back disorder. Service connection for a left knee disorder. Service connection for a cardiovascular disorder. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1993 to December 2014, to include service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. In connection with this appeal, he testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in January 2021. A copy of the transcript has been associated with the record. With regard to the increased ratings claims, the Veteran testified that his disorders had worsened and required additional treatment since they were lasted evaluated in 2015 and 2016. As such, updated examinations are needed. With regard to the service connection claims, the Veteran testified that he had treatment for all the disorders during service and received diagnoses and all of his medical treatment through private medical providers. While VA sent one request for these records, no response was received but only one month had elapsed. Thus, another attempt should be made to obtain these records, including giving the Veteran an opportunity to obtain them. Next, while VA examinations were undertaken for the claimed service-connected disorders, several found no current diagnosis and, as a result, no etiological opinions were rendered. Thus, if private treatment records reflect diagnoses of any of the service connection claims on appeal, remand the issue(s) for examination(s) and etiological opinion(s) as necessary. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Identify and obtain any outstanding, pertinent VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file. Special effort should be made to obtain any private treatment records referred to by the Veteran at his January 2021 Board hearing. All attempts to obtain these records should be documented. 2. Schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess the current status of i) restrictive lung disease and ii) allergic rhinitis in accordance with the appropriate diagnostic criteria. The claims file should be made available to the examiner. All indicated studies should be performed. 3. Review all private and VA treatment records obtained or provided by the Veteran. If current diagnoses are shown in the treatment records, to include a skin disorder, OSA, sinusitis, headaches, spontaneous ecchymosis, low back, left knee, or a cardiovascular disorder, then a medical opinion is needed to assess the etiology of the identified disorder(s). 4. If a medical opinion is needed as to etiology of the claimed disorder, direct the claims file to a clinician to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the identified disorder is related to active duty. A thorough rationale is required for any opinion rendered. 5. If the clinician determines that an examination is necessary in order to provide the requested opinion, then one should be scheduled. L. HOWELL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Yacoub, 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.