Citation Nr: 21042566 Decision Date: 07/13/21 Archive Date: 07/13/21 DOCKET NO. 14-41 116A DATE: July 13, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthmatic bronchitis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1976 to August 1976. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2014 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). This matter was remanded in March 2019 and in February 2021. The Veteran's claim was remanded in February 2021 for a new opinion addressing the Veteran's specific condition of asthmatic bronchitis, and to provide an opinion as to whether the Veteran's preexisting asthmatic bronchitis worsened or increased in severity during service, and if so was the worsening or increase in severity due to the natural progress of the disease. Further, the examiner was asked to provide an opinion as to whether the Veteran's COPD and emphysema were onset in service. In March 2021, a VA examiner provided an addendum opinion was provided. The March 2021 VA examiner noted that all prior exams were reviewed as well as the medical report from August 1976. The examiner opined that the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis clearly existed prior to service, as evidenced by medical records and the Veteran's own admission. The examiner then opined that the Veteran had an exacerbation of his asthma during basic training due to the increased physical exertion. The examiner determined that this would be a normal expected issue, and that the Veteran was treated, and the symptoms improved. The examiner noted that the Veteran had an exacerbation of his pre-existing asthmatic bronchitis while in service. The examiner determined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis, which clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by his time in service. The examiner also opined that a separate respiratory condition of COPD which is not related to asthma was related to the Veteran's 30 years of smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day. The examiner determined that it is less likely than not that COPD is related to any aggravation of the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis. The March 2021, examiner opined that the Veteran's asthma was exacerbated during basic training, and after treatment the Veteran's symptoms improved. The Board finds that clarification is needed to determine whether the Veteran's symptoms merely improved or returned to the baseline condition. The Board finds that it is unclear to what extent the Veteran's physical training exacerbated the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis and whether such exacerbation aggravated the Veteran's condition beyond its natural progression. Therefore, the examination is incomplete for adjudication purposes. See Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007). Although further delay is regrettable, the Board finds that a remand is necessary in this case to ensure that due process is followed and that there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims so that he is afforded every possible consideration. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum an opinion. After reviewing the entire claims file, the examiner should answer the following questions: A. Did the Veteran's preexisting asthmatic bronchitis worsen or increase in severity as a result of exacerbation due to physical training? B. After exacerbation of the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis, did the Veteran's symptoms return to the baseline prior to the in-service exacerbation during physical training? C. Did the Veteran's asthmatic bronchitis worsen beyond its normal progression as a result of physical training while in service? The examiner is asked to particularly address the March 2021 VA examiner's opinion and clarify whether the Veteran's exacerbation of asthmatic bronchitis was an aggravation beyond normal progression as a result of physical training while in service. B. MULLINS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board H. Hailu, 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.