Citation Nr: 21030554
Decision Date: 05/19/21	Archive Date: 05/19/21

DOCKET NO. 17-02 975
DATE: May 19, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for diverticulosis is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active duty from January 1972 to December 1975.

1. Entitlement to service connection for diverticulosis is remanded.

In the October 2016 claim, the Veteran asserts that his diverticulosis is secondary to his diabetes mellitus.  He was afforded a VA examination in December 2016.  The examiner opined that there was no relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diverticulosis. However, in the rationale, the examiner essentially defined each condition without explaining why the Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not cause or aggravate his diverticulosis.  Thus, an addendum medical opinion is warranted. 

In addition, in the July 2019 Board Hearing, the Veteran asserted that his diverticulosis is also related to his hypertension.  Thus, the medical examiner should also address whether the Veteran's diverticulosis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.       

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Obtain an addendum medical opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or higher) that the Veteran's diverticulosis is caused by or aggravated by (i.e., permanently worsened beyond the natural progression) his service-connected diabetes and/or his service-connected hypertension.  

The examiner is asked to explain the reasons behind any opinions expressed and conclusions reached

 

 

R. FEINBERG

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J.A. Williams, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.