Citation Nr: 18148725
Decision Date: 11/08/18	Archive Date: 11/07/18

DOCKET NO. 16-46 182
DATE:	November 8, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to increased disability ratings for service-connected anemia is remanded. 
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from August 1985 to August 2009, to include service in Korea and Southwest Asia.  Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, among many others.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a July 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) that denied an increased disability evaluation for the Veteran’s service-connected anemia.  
Service connection was initially granted for the Veteran’s disability in September 2009, and a noncompensable evaluation was assigned.  An increased rating claim was filed in April 2015.  In a Statement of the Case (SOC) dated July 2016, the Veteran’s anemia evaluation was increased to 10 percent disabling for the period beginning January 17, 2014, during a time in which her condition was shown to have worsened based on the medical evidence of record.  A noncompensable evaluation was continued from March 1, 2014.  The Veteran continues to assert that higher ratings are warranted during the period on appeal.
While the Board regrets further delay, the matter must be remanded for the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). 
Review of the record shows that additional relevant evidence was added to the file by VA since the last SOC was issued on this claim in July 2016, including additional VA treatment records.  As no SSOC was issued on this matter after the submission of the additional records, nor has any waiver of any additional evidence been submitted by the Veteran, remand is required so that this new evidence can be reviewed in the first instance by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).  38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.31.
The matter is therefore REMANDED for the following action:
Review the additional evidence added to the record since the July 2016 SOC, complete any development deemed necessary in light of the new evidence, including the scheduling of any additional medical examinations and/or opinions, if necessary, and readjudicate the claim on appeal.
 
Nathan Kroes
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	R. Scarduzio, Associate Counsel