Citation Nr: 18144508
Decision Date: 10/24/18	Archive Date: 10/24/18

DOCKET NO. 16-35 433
DATE:	October 24, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from March 1970 to April 1991.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal    from a January 2013 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO), which granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and assigned a noncompensable disability rating, effective from February 13, 2012.
The Board notes that the Veteran submitted a Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) opt-in election form, received by the Board on June 20, 2018.  However, at that time, the appeal had already been activated at the Board and is therefore no longer eligible for the RAMP program.  Accordingly, the Board will undertake appellate review of this issue.


1. Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.
The Veteran underwent VA examination in November 2016.  At that time, the examiner noted that photographs of the Veteran’s pseudofolliculitis barbae were contained in VISTA.  However, upon review of the record, it does not appear that the photographs are contained in the claims file.  Accordingly, upon remand the photographs should be associated with the claims file.  Updated treatment records should be obtained as well.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed disability. After securing any necessary releases, request any relevant records identified.  In addition, obtain updated VA treatment records, to include the photographs taken at the November        2016 VA examination contained in VISTA. If               any requested records are unavailable, the Veteran     and his representative should be notified of such.
 
K. A. BANFIELD
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. Medina, Associate Counsel