Citation Nr: 21023941
Decision Date: 04/21/21	Archive Date: 04/21/21

DOCKET NO. 17-65 698
DATE: April 21, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for Raynaud's Syndrome is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the Air National Guard from October 1990 to June 1991 and September 1996 to January 1999 with additional periods of federal service.  

This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2016 rating decision.  In October 2020 a video conference hearing was held before the undersigned; a transcript is in the record.  

Entitlement to service connection for Raynaud's Syndrome

It is not in dispute that the Veteran has a diagnosis of Raynaud’s Syndrome.  See September 2006 Third Party Correspondence.  It is also not in dispute that the Veteran had service in cold weather climates such as Antarctica and Greenland.  See Military Personnel Record.  The Veteran’s Air Force occupation specialty was in aerospace propulsion, engine, and turboprop maintenance.  See DD Form 214.  Whether the Veteran’s Raynaud’s Syndrome may be related to service (to include either to exposure to cold weather or due to his MOS) is a medical question, and requires a medical opinion.  Under such circumstances an examination to ascertain the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s Raynaud’s Syndrome is necessary.  See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

Arrange for the Veteran to be examined by an appropriate clinician to ascertain the nature and etiology of his Raynaud’s Syndrome.  The Veteran’s record must be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination.  On examination and interview of the Veteran and review of the record (and consideration of the Veteran’s deployment to cold weather climate as well as duties related to his Air Force occupation) the examiner should respond to the following:  

(a.) Identify the likely etiology for the Veteran’s Raynaud’s syndrome.  Specifically, is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s Raynaud’s Syndrome was caused by service on active duty or during Reserve or National Guard training, particularly in cold weather areas?

(b.) If the opinion is that the Veteran’s Raynaud’s Syndrome was not caused by service, provide the etiology considered more likely.  

Attention is called to the September 2006 letter from Dr. F, who diagnosed and treated idiopathic Raynaud’s disease and to the file of service treatment records which include an October 2006 entry that the Veteran was prescribed medication for the disease. 

The clinician must provide a complete rationale for all findings and opinions, and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved would be of considerable assistance to the Board.

 

 

J.W. FRANCIS

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	N. Staskowski, 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.