Citation Nr: 18140674 Decision Date: 10/05/18 Archive Date: 10/04/18 DOCKET NO. 14-29 167A DATE: REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for an upper back disorder. Entitlement to service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Entitlement to service connection for left leg swelling. Entitlement to service connection for right leg swelling. Entitlement to service connection for left eye stye. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Entitlement to service connection for urinary frequency. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral ovarian cysts. Entitlement to service connection for cervicitis. Entitlement to service connection for irregular menses. Entitlement to service connection for cracked tooth #13 for dental treatment purposes. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right foot hallux valgus. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left foot hallux valgus. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hammer toe, third and fifth toes, with heel spurs. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral blepharitis. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran indicated in a May 2018 Board hearing that she was treated at Kaiser for all her medical issues and that she had not submitted any of the Kaiser treatment records. The claims file does not currently contain any such treatment records. As such, remand is necessary to obtain any outstanding relevant records. With respect to hearing loss, the Veteran failed to report to a scheduled VA hearing loss examination. In the Board hearing, she testified that she did not receive notification of the scheduled examination. In light of her testimony, she should be provided with another opportunity to appear at an examination to assess the etiology of the claimed bilateral hearing loss. She must be provided written notice of the time, date, and location of this examination, and the notice should also inform her of the consequences for failing to report to the examination. A copy of the notice letter should be associated with the claims file. She is advised that failure to attend any future VA examination may adversely impact the outcome of her claim. With respect to the dental claim, the Veteran specified in the May 2018 Board hearing that she was requesting service connection for tooth #13 for dental treatment purposes only. It does not appear that the claim for dental treatment purposes has been adjudicated. As such, remand is necessary for adjudication of the issue. With respect to increased rating claims for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral hammer toes, and bilateral blepharitis, the most examinations for these service-connected disabilities is dated in June 2012, and there is evidence that they have worsened since then. As such, updated examinations are needed to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of these disabilities. On remand, updated VA treatment records should also be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain from the VA healthcare system all outstanding relevant treatment records, including records dated from May 2017 to present. All records/responses received should be associated with the claims file. If any records sought are not obtained, a written statement to that effect should be incorporated into the record. 2. Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses of all health care providers who have treated her for the issues being remanded. The AOJ should specifically request releases for treatment records from Kaiser. Then, contact the health care providers/facilities for records reflecting the Veteran’s treatment for these issues. Also request that the Veteran provide any such records she may have in her possession. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is to indicate whether the Veteran has a current hearing loss disability. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the Veteran’s service on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. A fully-explained rationale for the requested opinions should be provided. If the examiner feels that the requested opinions cannot be rendered without resorting to speculation, he or she must explain why this is so. 4. Schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current level of severity of the service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral hammer toes, and bilateral blepharitis. The electronic file, including a copy of this Remand, must be provided to the examiner in conjunction with the examination(s). Any medically indicated tests should be accomplished. With regard to the hallux valgus and hammer toes, the examiner should identify the nature and severity of all current manifestations of the hallux valgus and hammer toes. With regard to the bilateral blepharitis, the examiner should describe the nature and severity of all manifestations of the Veteran’s eye disability, to specifically include her visual acuity, field of vision, and diplopia. The examiner should also comment on the functional impairment resulting from the Veteran’s hallux valgus, hammer toes, and blepharitis. All opinions and conclusions expressed must be supported by a complete rationale in a report(s). The examiner(s) should reconcile any opinions with the service treatment records, post-service treatment records, and lay statements. 4. After completing all indicated development, and any additional development deemed necessary, to include scheduling the Veteran for any relevant VA examinations based on receipt of records received, readjudicate the claims. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, then a fully responsive supplemental statement of the case should be furnished to the Veteran and her representative, and they should be afforded a reasonable opportunity for response. L. HOWELL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD N. Nelson, Counsel