Citation Nr: 21042482 Decision Date: 07/13/21 Archive Date: 07/13/21 DOCKET NO. 16-19 482 DATE: July 13, 2021 REMANDED The claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic allergies is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty between July and November 1990. She also had additional service with the air national guard through October 2010, including periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a rating decision by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In June 2019, the Board remanded this matter for additional development. The case is again before the Board for appellate review. Another remand is warranted. Allergies In response to the remand, the Veteran underwent VA examination in February 2020 into the claim regarding chronic allergies. The examiner found allergies unrelated to service. But the examiner appeared to focus solely on the Veteran's active duty in 1990, and not on her air national guard service from then until 2010. Hypertension Service treatment records (STRs) indicate elevated blood pressure during service, and the Veteran has been diagnosed with hypertension. She should be provided with a VA examination. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81 (2006). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Return the case to the VA examiner who provided the February 2020 opinion, or to a suitable substitute, for issuance of an addendum medical opinion addressing the claim of entitlement to service connection for allergies. After reviewing the claims folder, the examiner should answer the following questions: (a) Is it at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or more) that a chronic allergy disorder: (i) had its onset during active duty in 1990; (ii) had its onset during any period of ACDUTRA until 2010; (iii) otherwise relates to an event, injury, or disease during active duty in 1990 or during a period of ACDUTRA since; or (iv) otherwise relates to an event or injury during INACDUTRA between 1990 and 2010? The Veteran asserts that her chronic allergies began during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. She contends that during her military career, she prepared and maintained First Aid kits for unique health risks for the deployment environment of all troops in her unit. She reported that her primary responsibilities were stocking, inspecting, preparing, issuing, and recovering reusable medical items and returning military equipment from the Gulf War. She indicated that she worked alone in an enclosed room with no ventilation or windows and that the returned equipment she handled was minimally cleaned and not sanitized and had a tremendous amount of dust residue. As a result of handling the equipment, she contends that she was exposed to the residue of chemical agents, pesticides, sand dust, and oil-well fumes, which was a major cause of her chronic allergies and related sinus issues. A review of the record confirms that during air national guard service, she was a medical material craftsman, which supports her contention of handling the aforementioned items. The Veteran also submitted medical records that indicate treatment for her chronic allergies, to include radiologic examination of her sinuses, during air national guard service. Consider her lay assertions when answering the questions. Please explain in detail any opinion provided and the supporting rationale. 3. Schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hypertension found on examination. After reviewing the claims file, interviewing the Veteran, and examining her, the examiner should answer the following questions. (a) Does the Veteran have hypertension? (b) If so, is it at least as likely as not (probability of 50 percent or more) that hypertension: (i) had its onset during active duty in 1990; (ii) had its onset during any period of ACDUTRA until 2010; or (iii) otherwise relates to an event, injury, or disease during active duty in 1990 or during a period of ACDUTRA since? In answering these questions, consider medical evidence dated during active duty in 1990, during periods of ACDUTRA until 2010, and since 2010. Please explain in detail any opinion provided and the supporting rationale. C. J. McEntee Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board V. Schmidt 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.