Citation Nr: 21001696 Decision Date: 01/11/21 Archive Date: 01/11/21 DOCKET NO. 17-48 736 DATE: January 11, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for back condition is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a sciatica condition of the left lower extremity is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left hip condition is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as anxiety and depression, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served in the National Guard from February 2009 to August 2009. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an April 2016 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran testified before the undersigned during a hearing in July 2020. 1. Entitlement to service connection for back condition is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a sciatica condition of the left lower extremity is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for a left hip condition is remanded. 4. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. 5. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded. 6. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as anxiety and depression, is remanded. For issues 1-6 above, the record shows that VA examinations have been scheduled in order to develop the Veteran’s claims and assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions; however, the examinations were canceled due to the Veteran not receiving notice as a result of his housing instability and homelessness, as well as lack of transportation. The Veteran testified before the Board in July 2020 and provided his current mailing address stating he intends to attend the next scheduled VA examination. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds that the Veteran has shown good cause for missing the VA examinations. 38 C.F.R. § 3.655. In addition, the Veteran testified during the Board hearing that the conditions enumerated above (issues 1-6) occurred during his basic training in service. The Veteran stated that his back, sciatic and hip conditions began during the physical rigors of training. He also testified that he was exposed to very loud noises during service, specifically during weapons qualification. Moreover, the Veteran stated that he began experiencing mental health issues during basic training that have gotten worse due to his physical disabilities. As such, the Board finds that new VA examinations should be scheduled as the Veteran has shown good cause for not attending prior ones and medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran’s conditions are related to his time in service should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Update any necessary VA databases to reflect the Veteran’s current mailing address and contact information, which were provided by the Veteran during the July 2020 Board hearing. If any attempts are made to contact the Veteran to verify his address or contact information, they should be documented in the record. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any spine disability and related neurological abnormalities, to include sciatica. All indicated tests and studies should be conducted. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) any current lumbar spine disability and/or neurological abnormality began in or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s military service. The examiner is advised that the Veteran is competent to report his symptoms and history, and such reports must be specifically acknowledged and considered in formulating any opinions. If the examiner rejects the Veteran’s reports, the examiner should provide a reason for doing so. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any left hip disorder. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any left hip disorder began in or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s military service. The examiner should address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset in service. The examiner should address any other pertinent evidence of record. 4. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any hearing loss and/or tinnitus began in or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s military service. The examiner should address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset in service. The examiner should address any other pertinent evidence of record. 5. Schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including, but not limited to, depression and anxiety. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any psychiatric condition began in or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s military service. The examiner should address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset in service. The examiner should address any other pertinent evidence of record. All findings in the examination directives above must be reported in detail and all opinions must be accompanied by a clear rationale. If any of the above issues cannot be resolved without resorting to speculation, then a detailed medical explanation as to why this is so must be provided. M. HYLAND Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Ariasaif, 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.