Citation Nr: 20009953 Decision Date: 02/06/20 Archive Date: 02/05/20 DOCKET NO. 16-01 026 DATE: February 6, 2020 REMANDED The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded. Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating (TDIU) is remanded. Entitlement to an increased rating for a right knee disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 1973 to November 1976. These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of February 2013 and November 2015 rating decisions by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified at a hearing conducted by the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in February 2019. A transcript of the hearing has been associated with the Veteran’s VA claims file. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), previously on appeal, was granted in an October 2015 rating decision. The Veteran has not disagreed with that decision and the issue is no longer in appellate status. See Grantham v. Brown, 114 F.3d 1156 (Fed. Cir. 1997). The Board also notes that in January 2019 the Veteran’s attorney requested, in part, a copy of the Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the examiner who performed the Veteran’s July 2012 and February 2013 VA examinations such that that the examiner’s experience and qualifications may be examined, reviewed, questioned, and/or challenged. In February 2019 correspondence, the request was denied because such records are not maintained at the Board. However, the Board finds that attempting to obtain the C.V. for each examiner, in this instance, is warranted in light of the duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his claim. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159; see also Nohr v. McDonald, 27 Vet. App. 124, 133-134 (2014). Therefore, this appeal must be remanded to fulfill the Veteran’s attorney’s records request. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Contact the July 2012/February 2013 VA examiner and request that he provide a copy of his CV (to include a list of publications, list of specialties, etc., if any). Upon receipt of such, associate it with the file and provide the Veteran and his representative a copy thereof. If the requested CV is not obtainable, this should be noted in the record. M. Donohue Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Quinn, 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.