Citation Nr: 20002953 Decision Date: 01/14/20 Archive Date: 01/13/20 DOCKET NO. 16-52 261 DATE: January 14, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for partial tear of supraspinatus tendon with bursitis of the left shoulder is remanded. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle closed fracture status of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is remanded. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis is remanded. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for mast cell activation syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for right shoulder status post subacromial decompression is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for right elbow lateral epicondylitis is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for multiple scars is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for hemorrhoids is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a skin rash and facial flushing is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1988 to August 1988, November 1990 to July 1991, and November 1993 to September 2014. In the October 2016 VA Form 9, the Veteran's former representative stated that the Veteran received treatment from Munson Army Health Center at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, for all of this claimed conditions. Likewise, in a November 2019 letter, the Veteran's current representative again stated that the Veteran receives treatment at Munson Army Health Center at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. However, there is no indication in the record that the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) has attempted to obtain these records. As there may be outstanding and relevant treatment records from a United States Army health care center, a remand is required to allow VA to request these records. Additionally, the Veteran has not been afforded VA examinations to evaluate his claimed right knee disability or his claimed skin condition, both of which the Veteran was treated for while in service. As such, on remand, the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations for those conditions. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the Veteran, and, with his assistance, identify any outstanding records of pertinent medical treatment from private or VA health care providers and associate them with the claims file. Also associate with the claims file treatment records from the Munson Army Health Center at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. 2. After the development listed in number 1 is complete, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability. For any right knee condition identified, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the documented in-service treatment of right knee pain. The examiner must also opine whether it is at least as likely as not (1) proximately due to any other service-connected disability, or (2) aggravated beyond its natural progression by any other service-connected disability. 3. After the development listed in number 1 is complete, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any skin condition, to include rash and facial flushing. For any lumbar spine condition identified, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the documented in-service treatment for acne. The examiner must also opine whether it is at least as likely as not (1) proximately due to any other service-connected disability, or (2) aggravated beyond its natural progression by any other service-connected disability. (Continued on the next page)   4. Then readjudicate the claims. If any benefit sought is not granted, the Veteran and his representative should be furnished an SSOC and given the requisite opportunity to respond before the case is returned to the Board. DONNIE R. HACHEY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board E. Mine, Associate Counsel 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.