Citation Nr: 21024755 Decision Date: 04/26/21 Archive Date: 04/26/21 DOCKET NO. 15-22 685 DATE: April 26, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 1969 to February 1971. In December 2020, the Board remanded this case for additional development. The Board finds that there has been substantial compliance with the remand requests. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). Entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is remanded. The Veteran asserts that hepatitis C is the result of service. In December 2020, the Board requested a medical opinion to address whether hepatitis C was etiologically related to air gun inoculations during service, or whether hepatitis C was at least as likely as not etiologically related to a 1974 tattoo. A medical opinion was provided in February 2021. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that in-service inoculations were the source of hepatitis C, and that it was at least likely as not that “hepatitis C exposure occurred while in service, possibly due to the tattoo in 1974.” The Board finds that opinion is incomplete. The record shows that the tattoo was done in 1974, nearly three years after separation from service. As the examiner stated that hepatitis C exposure occurred while in service and that hepatitis C was possibly due to a 1974 tattoo, it is unclear if hepatitis C is being attributed to an in-service incident or a 1974 post-service tattoo. The Board finds that the use of the term “possibly” in the opinion is too speculative. Stegman v. Derwinski, 3 Vet. App. 228 (1992). When VA provides an examination or obtains an opinion, the examination or opinion must be adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007). Therefore, remand for an addendum opinion is necessary. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum medical opinion, preferably from the same examiner who provided the February 2021 report. The opinion must clarify the discrepancies identified above. The examiner must review the claims file, to include the February 2021 opinion, and should note that review in the report. A thorough rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. The examiner should provide the following opinions: (a.) Opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that hepatitis C is related to service or any event, injury, or disease during service. If the examiner finds that hepatitis C is etiologically related to service, an in-service incident must be identified, and the opinion must be supported by a thorough rationale. (b.) Opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that hepatitis C is etiologically related to a post-service tattoo received in 1974. Harvey P. Roberts Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board E.O., 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.