Citation Nr: 21028678
Decision Date: 05/11/21	Archive Date: 05/11/21

DOCKET NO. 20-13 849
DATE: May 11, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure or secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from April 1967 to October 1968.

Entitlement to service connection for hypertension, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure or secondary to a service-connected disability

The Veteran asserts that his hypertension is related to his military service.  Specifically, he contends that his hypertension was either caused or aggravated by his service-connected ischemic heart disease, which was granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.  In the alternative, he contends it was due to exposure to exhaust from diesel fuel while performing duties as a mechanic in service.  

To support his contentions, the Veteran submitted articles in May 2019 and February 2021 summarizing studies discussing the effects of diesel fumes on blood pressure.  Although the Veteran underwent a VA examination in May 2017, the examiner did not address whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused by, the result of, or proximately due to exposure to diesel fuel exhaust in service.  

As there is insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim, the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature of his hypertension and the relationship, if any, of such disability to his service and/or toxic herbicide exposure.  See McClendon v. Nicholson 20 Vet. App. 79, 83 (2006).

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. The Regional Office (RO) should obtain and associate any updated VA treatment records with the claims file. 

If the Veteran has any private treatment records in his possession, he should be afforded the opportunity to submit such records.  

2. Forward the claims file to the VA examiner who conducted the May 2017 VA examination (or to another VA examiner if the original examiner is unavailable) for an addendum opinion as to whether the Veteran's hypertension is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent or greater probability) related directly to his active duty service, and in particular to his exposure to diesel fuel exhaust.

It would be most helpful if the examiner addresses the articles submitted by the Veteran in May 2019 and February 2021 regarding hypertension and diesel fuel exposure.  

 

The examiner should also review this remand and the evidentiary record and provide a comprehensive report, including complete rationales for all opinions.  A new examination is not necessary unless deemed so by the examiner. 

 

 

B.T. KNOPE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	K. Veltri, Associate Counsel