Citation Nr: 18160772
Decision Date: 12/27/18	Archive Date: 12/27/18

DOCKET NO. 16-41 019A
DATE:	December 27, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for scar tissue on the right knee is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from May to August 1986.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of a rating decision by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office (RO).
A remand is warranted to obtain any outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records.  In an April 2014 statement, the Veteran indicated that he had been awarded disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).  Evidence pertaining to these benefits should be included in the claims file.  See Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2010).
Also, the record indicates that a VA compensation examination has been scheduled in December 2018 for a separate claim for an increased rating for a right knee orthopedic disability.  The RO should consider this examination report to the extent it addresses right knee scar tissue and any resulting functional limitation of the right knee.  

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Undertake appropriate development to obtain any outstanding records pertinent to the claim on appeal.  Request from SSA relevant information to include a copy of any decision awarding benefits and copies of any medical records upon which SSA based its decision.  All records/responses received must be associated with the electronic claims file.  If the requested records do not exist or cannot be obtained, the claims file should be documented accordingly.  38 C.F.R. § 3.159.
2.  Then readjudicate the claim, including consideration of the December 2018 VA examination of the right knee orthopedic claim, to the extent it addresses his right knee scar and associated functional impairment.  If this claim is not granted to the Veteran's satisfaction, send the Veteran and his representative a supplemental statement of the case and allow an appropriate time for response.
 	
 
BISWAJIT CHATTERJEE
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Christopher McEntee, Counsel