Citation Nr: 18145262
Decision Date: 10/26/18	Archive Date: 10/26/18

DOCKET NO. 16-15 189
DATE:	October 26, 2018
REMANDED
Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for right hip trochanteric bursitis is remanded.
Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for refractive error of the left eye is remanded.
Service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis is remanded.
Service connection for bilateral cataracts is remanded.
Service connection for refractive error of right eye is remanded.
Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
Service connection for tinnitus is remanded.
Service connection for bilateral pedal edema is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1955 to August 1958.
1. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for right hip trochanteric bursitis is remanded.
2. Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for refractive error of the left eye is remanded.
3. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine arthritis is remanded.
4. Service connection for bilateral cataracts is remanded.
5. Service connection for refractive error of right eye is remanded.
6. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
7. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded.
8. Service connection for bilateral pedal edema is remanded.
On an original claim for benefits received in January 1980, the Veteran indicated that he received treatment for his left eye at the Richmond VA Medical Center in December 1971.  On a June 2007 claim, he indicated that he has received treatment for his left eye and hips at the Richmond VA Medical Center since January 1975.
During the pendency of the current claim, the Veteran indicated on a VA Form 9 that he received treatment for his disabilities at the Richmond VA Medical Center from 1981 to 1997.  Records from that time period were requested, and records from 1981 to 1999 were obtained.  However, on a claim received in October 2017, the Veteran indicated that he has received treatment at the Richmond VA Medical Center since 1956.
Given the above, especially as the Veteran’s service treatment records have been lost in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center, it is imperative that all available VA medical records be obtained.  Thus, an attempt should be made to obtain any records from the Richmond VA Medical Center from 1956 to 1980.
He also indicated on his VA Form 9 that he was treated at the Fort Lee, VA Army hospital.  Thus, an attempt should be made to obtain any records from that facility since his discharge in August 1958.
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Obtain any records from the Richmond VA Medical Center from 1956 to 1980.
2. Obtain any records from the Fort Lee, VA Army hospital since August 1958.
3. Then, readjudicate the claims.  If any decision remains adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow the appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board.
 
KELLI A. KORDICH
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. W. Kim, Counsel