Citation Nr: 18154573
Decision Date: 11/30/18	Archive Date: 11/30/18

DOCKET NO. 16-40 680A
DATE:	November 30, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May 1990 to March 2013.  The Veteran was awarded in part the Combat Action Ribbon.
This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of an April 2016 rating decision of the St. Petersburg, Florida, Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
1. Entitlement to service connection for TBI is remanded.
Service treatment records (STRs) reflect diagnosis of TBI stemming from an IED blast.  
The Veteran appeared for a VA examination in April 2016.  The examiner indicated that the in-service TBI resolved without residuals.  The examiner indicated neuropsychological testing completed in August 2010 was unable to be reviewed, and if this testing report was made available, an addendum opinion may be required.  The Veteran also indicated in his notice of disagreement (NOD) and Substantive Appeal that he was told during his examination that his claims file was not available.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all outstanding VA clinical records and give the Veteran the opportunity to identify any private treatment records for association with the claims file.  All records/responses received must be associated with the claims file.  
2. Please particularly request and associate with the claims file to the fullest extent possible, the entirety of neuropsychological testing completed in August 2010.  All records/responses received must be associated with the claims file.  
3. Then, obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s claimed TBI is at least as likely as not related to the diagnosed in-service TBI and exposure to IED blast.  The examiner is required to review the entirety of the claims file and indicate it has been reviewed.
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4. After the above is complete, readjudicate the Veteran’s claim.  If a complete grant of the benefit requested is not granted, issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to the Veteran and his representative to afford them the opportunity to respond before the case is returned to the Board.
 
KRISTI L. GUNN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	K. M. Georgiev