Citation Nr: 18147049
Decision Date: 11/02/18	Archive Date: 11/02/18

DOCKET NO. 15-31 669
DATE:	November 2, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty with the United States Navy from June 1980 to June 1983.
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from an October 2011 decision review officer (DRO) decision and a July 2014 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In a July 2014 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia resolved, status post tonsillectomy, and assigned a noncompensable evaluation effective May 14, 2009.
This matter was previously before the Board in November 2014 and was remanded for further development. It has now been returned to the Board for appellate review.
The Board finds the issue of entitlement to service connection for chronic laryngitis secondary to his service-connected tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy has been raised by the record during an October 2018 Informal Hearing Presentation (IHP). The Board finds that the issue had not been adjudicated by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) and must be referred to the AOJ for appropriate action as the Board does not have jurisdiction over the issue. 38 C.F.R. § 19.9 (b).
Regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy, the pendency of this appeal the Veteran indicated that his service connected disability has gotten progressively worse during the appeal period. (See August 2014 private medical record). Based on the Veteran's statements that his disability on appeal has gotten worse, the Board finds that VA examination assessing its current severity is warranted. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Request the appellant to identify all medical providers (VA and private) from whom he has received treatment for his tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy, and complete and return a provided VA Form 21-4142, Authorization and Consent to Release Information, for the identified treatment records, for each medical treatment provider identified. After obtaining completed VA Forms 21-4142, the AOJ should attempt to obtain all identified pertinent medical records and associate them with the claims file.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected tonsillitis with follicular lymphoid hyperplasia, status post tonsillectomy. The Veteran should be provided reasonable notice of the scheduled examination to ensure his ability to obtain transportation. The claims folder should be provided to the examiner in connection with the examination of the Veteran.
The examiner must note and consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding symptoms.
All opinions must be supported by a detailed rationale in a typewritten report.
 
M. H. HAWLEY
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Brandon A. Williams, Counsel