Citation Nr: 21001636 Decision Date: 01/11/21 Archive Date: 01/11/21 DOCKET NO. 19-08 988A DATE: January 11, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1974 to December 1975. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision issued in October 2018 by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). Entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound. Upon a review of the record, it appears that there are outstanding VA treatment records. Specifically, those dated from March 2018 to June 2018 and from October 2018 to October 2019 are not on file. Thus, a remand is necessary to obtain a complete copy of the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the entire appeal period stemming from his September 2018 claim for SMC, plus the one-year look-back period. Also, while on remand, the Veteran should be given an opportunity to identify or submit any outstanding private treatment records. Thereafter, the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) should review the record and conduct any additionally indicated development, to include obtaining any VA examinations and/or opinions deemed necessary for the adjudication of the instant claim. Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all VA treatment records dated from September 2017 to the present, to specifically include those dated from March 2018 to June 2018 and from October 2018 to October 2019. 2. Provide the Veteran an opportunity to identify or submit any outstanding private treatment records relevant to the instant claim. After the receipt of any necessary authorization form, make at least two (2) attempts to obtain records from any identified sources. If any such records are unavailable, inform the Veteran and afford him an opportunity to submit any copies in his possession. 3. After all outstanding treatment records have been obtained, the AOJ should review the record and conduct any additionally indicated development, to include obtaining any VA examinations and/or opinions deemed necessary for the adjudication of the instant claim. A. JAEGER Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Department of Veterans Affairs 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.