Citation Nr: 18157141
Decision Date: 12/13/18	Archive Date: 12/11/18

DOCKET NO. 15-19 646
DATE:	December 13, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for left foot stress fracture, originally claimed as broken bone right foot, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from March 1969 to March 1971.
1. Entitlement to service connection for left foot stress fracture, originally claimed as broken bone right foot, is remanded.
In August 2013, the Regional Office (RO) denied service connection for broken bone right foot. The Veteran appealed that decision to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board). While the Veteran originally filed a claim in January 2013 for “broken bone in foot (stress fracture) right foot”, in the Veteran’s May 2015 Form 9, he indicated that the proper foot for his claim was the left foot, which had been injured in service. In the RO’s October 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case, the RO noted this change and properly considered the claim for the left foot. 
After review of the record, additional development is needed prior to adjudication of the Veteran’s claim. Notably, a review of the record indicates that the Veteran has post-service treatment records from the Redding VA Outpatient Clinic dating from August 2013 through October 2016. However, these treatment records have not been associated with the claims file. Therefore, further development is required to comply with the duty to assist the Veteran in developing the facts pertinent to the claim. See 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c). Additionally, the Veteran has yet to receive a VA examination in connection with his current claim.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Contact the Veteran and request authorization to obtain any outstanding records pertinent to his claim, as well as any private or VA treatment records, to include those from Redding VA Outpatient Clinic, following proper VA procedures as listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c).
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriate examiner to determine whether the Veteran has a current left foot disability that is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) related to active military service. The claims file must be reviewed, and all appropriate tests and studies should be conducted, as indicated in the most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire. A complete rationale for all opinions must be provided.
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Evan Thomas Hicks