Citation Nr: 21000196 Decision Date: 01/04/21 Archive Date: 01/04/21 DOCKET NO. 15-40 306 DATE: January 4, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a disability rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran’s service-connected left eye cataract and right eye incipient cataract is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served honorably on active duty with the United States Army from September 1967 to October 1970, including overseas service in Vietnam. This case was most recently before the Board in January 2019, at which time it was remanded for additional development. Regrettably, for the reasons discussed below, another remand is necessary. Entitlement to a disability rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran’s service-connected left eye cataract and right eye incipient cataract is remanded. In its January 2019 remand instructions, the Board directed the Regional Office (RO) to ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private physicians the Veteran may have seen regarding his eye condition. The record shows that the RO subsequently mailed the form to the Veteran. However, in an October 2020 brief, the Veteran’s representative suggested that form was mailed to an incorrect address. Indeed, the address differs from the address to which the January 2019 Board decision and prior correspondence was mailed, and there is no indication in the record that the Veteran changed his address. Therefore, the Board finds that remand is warranted to attempt to verify the Veteran’s mailing address and offer him another opportunity to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for private medical records that may be relevant to his claim. In the October 2020 brief, the representative also indicated that there had been no hearing despite a hearing having been scheduled in November 2018. The Board notes that the Veteran did not appear for that hearing. Accordingly, he was marked as a “no-show” and his hearing request was considered withdrawn. 38 C.F.R. § 20.704 (d). The matter is REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Contact the Veteran to verify his current mailing address, via phone or email if necessary. If attempts to reach the Veteran are unsuccessful, undertake additional efforts to verify his contact information, to include contacting his representative for assistance. 2. Then, ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private physicians the Veteran may have seen regarding his eye condition. Make two requests for the authorized records from any identified physicians, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. (Continued on the next page)   3. If no further records are obtained, return the case to the Board for adjudication. If further records are obtained, readjudicate the issues on appeal. If the benefit sought remains denied, send the Veteran and his representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case and provide an opportunity to respond. If necessary, return the case to the Board for further appellate review. L. CHU Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board G. T. Raftery, 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.