Citation Nr: 19152192 Decision Date: 07/05/19 Archive Date: 07/05/19 DOCKET NO. 17-26 258 DATE: July 5, 2019 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a dental disabililty, for teeth #8, #25, for VA compensation benefits is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a dental disabililty for obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from July 1956 to July 1959. The Veteran testified at a video conference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in April 2019. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the claims file. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a dental disabililty, for teeth #8, #25, for VA compensation benefits 2. Entitlement to service connection for a dental disabililty for obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment The Veteran contends that service connection is warranted for a dental disability for VA compensation benefits and service connection is also warranted for obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a dental disabililty for VA compensation benefits because no VA examiner has opined whether service connection is warranted for compensation benefits. Private dental treatment records have been associated with the claims file noting severe bone loss of tooth #25. As such a remand is warranted for a VA examination. Further, a claim for service connection for a dental condition is also considered a claim for VA outpatient dental treatment. Mays v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 302, 306 (1993). In dental claims, 38 C.F.R. § 17.161 provides that the Chief, Dental Service at a VA Medical Center adjudicates the claim for outpatient treatment. IN an April 2017 statement of the case, the RO noted that the Veteran’s claim for treatment was forwarded to a VA hospital and that another decision would be issued. The claims file does not contain a record of that decision. In April 2019 testimony the Veteran asserted that service connection for treatment purposes is warranted. As such the service connection claim for a dental disability for obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment is remanded to be adjudicated by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration agency of original jurisdiction. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any dental disability for VA compensation purposes: (a.) Identify any dental and jaw disabilities. (b.) Is it at least as likely as not (a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s current dental disability was caused by an in-service injury or disease, to include in-service dental treatment? Review of the entire claims file is required. The examiner must provide a complete rationale for all findings and opinions, and a discussion of the facts and medical principles involved would be of considerable assistance to the Board. Service treatment records note dental treatment in June 1958 and August 1958 on tooth #8 and placement of a crown. In addition, private treatment records from September 2014 have been associated with the claims file noting severe bone loss of tooth #25 and a simple extraction due to tooth mobility is warranted. 2. The RO should address and adjudicate the issue on appeal, as to the Veteran’s claim for service connection for a dental disability for obtaining VA outpatient dental treatment. Then if warranted, if the benefit sought is not granted, issue a supplemental statement of the case with an opportunity to respond. Thereafter, the issue should be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if appropriate. J.W. FRANCIS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD K. Kardian The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.