Citation Nr: 18159238
Decision Date: 12/19/18	Archive Date: 12/18/18

DOCKET NO. 16-60 394
DATE:	DECEMBER 19, 2018

REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable rating for left hip myositis and trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of extension is remanded.
Entitlement to a compensable rating for left hip myositis and trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of flexion is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from October 1993 to October 1994.
These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2016 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
In his December 2016 form 9, the Veteran waived an optional Board hearing.  No subsequent hearing requests have been received.
The Veteran contends that he is entitled to an initial compensable rating for the limitation of extension and limitation of flexion associated with his left hip myositis and trochanteric pain syndrome based on limited range of motion and pain with motion on both flexion and extension.  The Veteran further contends that despite continuous treatment to include physical therapy, medication and manipulation, his condition has not improved.  See December 2015 Correspondence.  
In his December 2015 application for benefits the Veteran reported receiving treatment from the Houston VAMC from 1996 to the date of application.  See December 2015 Fully Developed Claim. 
Although the Veteran reports continuous treatment for his left hip myositis, the record contains limited treatment record during the period at issue.  In May 2016, a request for the Veteran’s VA medical records from December 1994 through May 2016 was made.  See May 2016 Exchange of Beneficiary Information and Request for Administrative Action.  Subsequently an imaging report dated December 1994 was added to the record.  See July 2016 CAPRI.  Other than a March 2016 VA examination, the record contains no other medical treatment records with respect to the Veteran’s left hip.  Additionally, there is no evidence of further attempts to obtain additional records, and no formal finding of unavailability of additional records. 
Based on the Veteran’s statement that he received continuous treatment including physical therapy for his left hip myositis, VA has a duty to assist the Veteran by obtaining all outstanding federal treatment records, including VA records and making reasonable efforts to obtain all relevant private treatment records, if there are any.  38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. 3.159(c).  
Accordingly, these matters are remanded for further development, namely to attempt to obtain all outstanding records. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Have the Veteran complete an authorization to release medical information and identify any medical treatment he has received from December 2014 to present pertaining to his claims on appeal. 
2. Obtain all outstanding VA medical records, to include those identified by the Veteran dated from 1996 to the present at VAMC Houston.  If after efforts have been made and no records are found, a formal finding of unavailability should be made. 

 
S. HENEKS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Wimbish, Associate Counsel