Citation Nr: 18156508
Decision Date: 12/10/18	Archive Date: 12/10/18

DOCKET NO. 15-35 121A
DATE:	December 10, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to reimbursement or payment of medical expenses incurred at John D. Archbold Memorial Medical Center on December 14, 2014 is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the Marine Corps from September 1983 to July 1987.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2015 decision of the North Florida / South George Veteran’s Health Care System.
In the Veteran’s November 2018 Informal Hearing Presentation, he contends that on December 14, 2014, he experienced respiratory distress and felt that he needed immediate medical attention.  He contends that he tried to reach the VA, but the local facility where he receives primary care treatment was only open Monday through Friday.  As he was unable to reach the VA by telephone, and he felt that he could not travel two and one-half hours by car to the VA hospital in Gainesville, Florida or Lake City, he went to Archbold Medical Center Urgent Care.  In the Veteran’s April 2015 notice of disagreement, he acknowledges that his condition was not life threatening, and that he did require urgent medical care for bronchitis, pneumonia, and an upper respiratory infection.  Further, a May 2015 statement from the Veteran indicates that he had a bad reaction to the medication provided on December 14, 2014 and had to return to the clinic on December 16, 2014.
The only medical evidence of record from Archbold Medical Center is a December 14, 2014 chest x-ray showing a history of cough and an impression of no acute cardiopulmonary disease, and hyperinflation of the lungs consistent with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or profound aspiration.  As the record indicates there may be outstanding treatment records related to the Veteran’s claim, the Board finds that all outstanding treatment records from Archbold Medical Center, to include treatment on December 14, 2014 and December 16, 2014, must be obtained.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
After obtaining any necessary authorization from the Veteran, obtain and associate with the claims file all outstanding treatment records from Archbold Medical Center related to the Veteran’s claim, to include treatment on December 14, 2014 and December 16, 2014.  Any negative response should be in writing and associated with the claims file.
 
S. C. KREMBS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Samuelson, Counsel