Citation Nr: 18144379
Decision Date: 10/24/18	Archive Date: 10/24/18

DOCKET NO. 14-40 855
DATE:	October 24, 2018
REMANDED
1. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.
3. Entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, to include refractive error, is remanded.
4. Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.
5. Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from October 1976 to June 1979 and from June 1979 to June 1983, with additional reserve duty.
In February 2018, the Veteran provided testimony in a Travel Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at the Regional Office (RO) in Jackson, Mississippi. A copy of the hearing transcript is associated with the claims file.
The Veteran testified during the February 2018 Travel Board hearing that he was in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits for his back, eyes, knee, and hip disabilities. The record includes SSA correspondence dated February 24, 2017, submitted by the Veteran in March 2017, which reflects that the Veteran has been considered disabled for SSA purposes since April 1, 2016. The SSA correspondence indicates that University of MS Medical Center records were used in the determination for SSA benefits. After a review of the claims file, there is no indication that VA attempted to obtain the SSA and University of MS Medical Center records, and such records have not been associated with the claims file. 
The Board finds that the SSA and University of MS Medical Center records may be potentially relevant to all the claims on appeal. Thus, an effort must be made to locate and associated any relevant SSA records and private medical records, including from the University of MS Medical Center, with the Veteran’s claims file.
1. Entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for a back (lumbar spine) disability is remanded.
3. Entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, to include refractive error, is remanded.
4. Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.
5. Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is remanded.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain the Veteran’s SSA records, to include the most recent disability determination for SSI benefits and the records upon which the determination was based. All SSA records should be associated with the record. If any of the records requested are unavailable, clearly document the claims file to that effect and notify the Veteran of any inability to obtain these records, in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(e) (2017).
2. Ask the Veteran to identify any outstanding private treatment records that he wishes VA to obtain, and advise him that he may submit any additional evidence or information he might have to support his claims, to include lay statements. After obtaining any necessary authorization forms from the Veteran, obtain any pertinent records identified, and associate them with the claims file. Any negative responses should be in writing and should be associated with the claims file.
The Veteran is specifically requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain medical records from the University of MS Medical Center.
In addition, obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and associate them with the claims file.
3. After all available evidence has been associated with the record; the AOJ should review the evidence and determine if further development is warranted. The AOJ should take any additional development as deemed necessary.
 
A. P. SIMPSON
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	D. Cheng, Associate Counsel