Citation Nr: 21000782
Decision Date: 01/06/21	Archive Date: 01/06/21

DOCKET NO. 14-99 827A
DATE: January 6, 2021

REMANDED

The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from May 1967 to May 1970.  

This appeal comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a March 2014 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic renal insufficiency with hypertension is remanded.

Although the Board regrets the delay, additional development is needed prior to adjudication of the Veteran’s claim.

The record reflects that the Veteran receives ongoing VA treatment for his chronic renal insufficiency. This appeal was certified to the Board in 2020, but the most recent VA treatment records associated with the claims file are from late 2014. On remand, updated VA treatment records must be associated with the claims file. 

Additionally, the Veteran was last afforded a VA examination to assess the severity of his chronic renal insufficiency in December 2014. If review of the VA treatment records dating since 2014 suggest subsequent worsening of that disability, another VA examination should also be obtained. 

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from 2014 to the present.

2. If review of the Veteran’s VA treatment records reveals a worsening of his service-connected chronic renal insufficiency since December 2014, schedule him for a VA examination to determine the current severity of that disability.  The claims file must be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination.  All appropriate tests and studies should be conducted and the results reported in detail.

 

 

L. STEPANICK

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	L. Holcombe, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.