Citation Nr: 18140489
Decision Date: 10/03/18	Archive Date: 10/03/18

DOCKET NO. 15-33 988
DATE:	October 3, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for broken jaw residuals is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1968 to May 1970.  
This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2014 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office (RO).
The Board notes that the Veteran’s claims file appears incomplete.  First, with regard to the service treatment records (STRs), the Board notes that they only contain copies of the enlistment and separation examinations and immunization records.  The Board further notes that the November 1967 enlistment examination contains the Report of Medical History, but is missing the Report of Medical Examination.  Conversely, the May 1970 separation examination contains the Report of Medical Examination, but is missing the Report of Medical History.  Accordingly, further efforts should be made to obtain and associate with the claims file the Veteran’s complete STRs.  
Second, January and September 2011 private treatment records show the Veteran reported receiving treatment through the VA medical system including in Florida.  However, the claims file does not contain any VA medical records.  Accordingly, efforts should be made to obtain and associate with the claims file all VA medical records.  
Finally, the record shows the Veteran has been in receipt of SSA disability benefits since June 2012, although it is unclear from the record which disabilities those benefits are associated.  Where there has been a determination with regard to SSA benefits, the records concerning that decision must be obtained, if relevant.  Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317, 1321 (2010).
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding service treatment records that have not already been associated with the claims folder.  If the Veteran’s service treatment records are not available, or if the search for any such records otherwise yields negative results, a memorandum of unavailability should be prepared and associated with the claims file, and the Veteran should be notified.
2. With any necessary identification of sources by the Veteran, request all VA treatment records not already associated with the file from the Veteran’s VA treatment facilities, to include records from any Florida VA medical center and all private treatment records from the Veteran not already associated with the file.
3. Identify and obtain any outstanding SSA records.  If these records are unavailable, a formal finding of unavailability should be prepared and associated with the claims file.
 
S. HENEKS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Lamb, Associate Counsel