Citation Nr: 20009877 Decision Date: 02/06/20 Archive Date: 02/05/20 DOCKET NO. 19-12 098 DATE: February 6, 2020 REMANDED The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for “post operative right foot linear scars (x 7)” is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from September 2005 to September 2009. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for “post operative right foot linear scars (x 7)” is remanded. The Veteran asserts that an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is warranted for the service connected “post operative right foot linear scars (x 7)” as the service connected disability has increased in severity since the most recent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) scar examination of record. The Veteran was last afforded a VA scar evaluation in January 2019. The examination report states that the Veteran exhibited a single painful right foot scar. In her February 2019 Appeal to the Board (VA Form 9), the Veteran stated that she had more than one painful right foot scar and the scars impaired her ability to both wear shoes and to drive. VA’s duty to assist includes, in appropriate cases, the duty to conduct a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination which is accurate and fully descriptive. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006); Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121, 124 (1991). Given the Veteran’s statement as to the worsening of the service connected right foot scar disability, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) finds that further VA scar evaluation is needed. Clinical documentation dated after November 2019 is not of record. VA should obtain all relevant VA and private treatment records which could potentially be helpful in resolving the Veteran’s claim. Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 78 (1990); Bell v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 611 (1992). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for each private healthcare provider who has treated her for the service connected post operative right foot scars. Make two requests for the authorized records from all identified healthcare providers unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. (Continued on the next page)   2. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records dated after January 2019. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA scar examination to assist in determining the nature and severity of the service-connected post-operative right foot scar residuals. The examiner must review the record and should note that review in the report. The examiner should state whether each of the 7 scars is painful or unstable and should provide a measurement of each scar. A rationale for all opinions should be provided. The examiner should express an opinion as to the impact of post operative right foot scar residuals on the Veteran’s vocational pursuits. J. T. HUTCHESON Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Solomon 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.