Citation Nr: 18149347
Decision Date: 11/09/18	Archive Date: 11/09/18

DOCKET NO. 16-24 501A
DATE:	November 9, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for facial numbness is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active air service from January 1991 to July 1995, and active military service from February 1996 to March 2015.  
This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Seattle, Washington. 
The Board notes that the Veteran received a letter in May 2018 informing him of the option to participate in the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP).  In a May 2018 response, the Veteran elected to participate in RAMP.  However, the Board notes that the Veteran cannot elect participation in RAMP for appeals that have already been certified to the Board.  The issue listed above was certified to the Board in December 2016.  Therefore, the Veteran cannot elect participation in RAMP for this appeal and the Board is not precluded from proceeding with appellate review. 


Increased Rating – Jaw Numbness 
The Board finds that additional development is required before the claim on appeal is decided.
The Veteran asserts that his facial numbness is worse than contemplated by the noncompensable rating currently assigned.  Specifically, a June 2017 letter from his private provider indicates that the Veteran has experienced increased jaw numbness and compromised opening of the jaw.  Further, there is an indication from the record that the Veteran has additional jaw dysfunction as the result of his in-service surgery in addition to the facial numbness.
A review of the record shows that the Veteran was last afforded a VA examination of his facial numbness in May 2015.  As there is an indication that the Veteran’s symptoms have increased in severity since that time, the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of all residuals of his in-service jaw surgery.
Additionally, current treatment records should be identified and obtained before a decision is made in this case.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file.
2. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination(s) by an examiner(s) with appropriate expertise to determine the current level of severity of all impairment of all residuals resulting from his in-service jaw surgery, to specifically include facial numbness and difficulty opening the jaw.  The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed by the examiner(s).  Any indicated studies should be performed.  The examiner(s) should provide all information required for rating purposes, to specifically include any currently present residuals of the in-service jaw surgery in addition to the identified facial numbness.  
3. Confirm that the VA examination report(s) comports with this remand and undertake any other development determined to be warranted.
4. Then, readjudicate the claim on appeal.  If a decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board.
 
Kristin Haddock
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Christina Quant, Law Clerk