Citation Nr: 18156137
Decision Date: 12/11/18	Archive Date: 12/07/18

DOCKET NO. 15-06 535A
DATE:	December 11, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from May 1985 to July 2006.
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hypertension is remanded.
The Veteran contends that she is entitled to an initial compensable rating for her service-connected hypertension.  The Veteran’s most recent VA examination, which was conducted in December 2012, notes that her hypertension is controlled by continuous medication.  In addition, this examination recorded her current blood pressure readings.  The examination offered no further explanation or opinion concerning the severity of the Veteran’s symptoms and no discussion of medication history.
While the age of an examination does not decrease its relevance, in the Veteran’s March 2015 substantive appeal, she contended that her hypertension was not well controlled and that her medication had been changed several times.  In the November 2018 written brief, the Veteran argues that the December 2012 examination was inadequate and does not accurately reflect the current severity of this service-connected disability.  As a result, a remand is necessary to obtain further medical records as well as an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected hypertension.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all outstanding VA treatment medical records not associated with the claims file.  Contact the Veteran to determine whether there are any additional relevant private treatment records and obtain any authorizations necessary to procure such records.
2. Then, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of her service-connected hypertension. The claims file should be reviewed by the examiner. The examiner should provide a full description of this disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating this disorder under the rating criteria, including the fluctuation in blood pressure and any changes in medications.
 
THERESA M. CATINO
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M.E. Lee, Associate Counsel