Citation Nr: 21020920 Decision Date: 04/08/21 Archive Date: 04/08/21 DOCKET NO. 17-21 569 DATE: April 8, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, including secondary to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded. Entitlement to special monthly pension based on aid and attendance and/or being housebound, since September 22, 2016, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from December 1971 to December 1975. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from May 2013 and March 2014 rating decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In March 2019, the Board issued a decision which, in pertinent part, denied the Veteran’s claim seeking entitlement to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, including secondary to inservice exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran appealed the denial to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In July 2020, the Court issued a Memorandum Decision, which set aside this portion of the March 2019 Board decision and remanded the matter for further adjudication consistent with the Joint Motion. The March 2019 Board decision also remanded the issue of entitlement to special monthly pension based on aid and attendance and/or being housebound, since September 22, 2016. The Board notes there are additional issues on appeal that the Veteran has perfected but have not yet been certified to the Board and are not yet ripe for Board review. These issues will be the subject of a later Board decision as appropriate. 1. Entitlement to service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, including secondary to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. It has been established that veterans who served at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were potentially exposed to contaminants present in the base water supply prior to 1987. The chemical compounds involved have been associated by various scientific organizations with the possible development of certain chronic diseases. As the Veteran's service records show he was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the relevant time period, it will be assumed that he was potentially exposed to chemicals known to have contaminated the water at Camp Lejeune. In accordance with the Court’s July 2020 Memorandum Decision, a medical opinion is necessary to determine whether the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis is related to his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. 2. Entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or being housebound, since September 22, 2016. Finally, because a decision on the claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis could significantly impact a decision on the issue of special monthly compensation, the issues are inextricably intertwined. A remand for each of these issues is required. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Follow all current development procedures for the development of the claims in light of the contention that the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis is due to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, to include, but not limited to, any VA Fast Letters. 2. Thereafter, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assist in determining the etiology of his pulmonary fibrosis. The examiner must note in the examination report that the evidence in the claims file has been reviewed, including the internet article entitled, Marine in Hospice Helps Other Veteran, received May 13, 2014. The examination should include any necessary diagnostic testing. The examiner should elicit a full history from the Veteran concerning his pulmonary fibrosis. The examiner must provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s current pulmonary fibrosis had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any incident of service, to include exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The examiner must provide a complete rationale for all opinions provided. Evan M. Deichert Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board W. Yates, 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.