Citation Nr: 21002377 Decision Date: 01/13/21 Archive Date: 01/13/21 DOCKET NO. 14-01 883 DATE: January 13, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for swelling of the face, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for varicose veins is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for blood clots is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Army from May 1969 to April 1972. The Veteran also had service with the Texas Army National Guard, Wyoming Army National Guard, and Colorado Army National Guard. In May 2019, the Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the record. In July 2020, the Veteran submitted a VA Form 21-526EZ, requesting service connection for blood clots, hearing loss, varicose veins, bilateral knee disability, and back disability. He reported medical treatment at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center (VAMC) beginning in 1972. At some later time the Veteran indicated that he had begun treatment there in 1987. The RO requested records from Cheyenne VAMC beginning in 1972 and in 1987, but no clear responses have been received. The latter inquiry included a request to search nonelectronic, archived records, but it is unclear if such was done. Records from 2001 to the present have been produced, without addressing the existence or availability of any earlier records. Accordingly, the RO must make a follow-up request for records from Cheyenne VAMC beginning in 1972, and document all efforts. Because of the evidence of parachute jumps, the Veteran’s hearing testimony indicating that his bilateral knee disability may be related to his parachute jumps, and his recent report that he injured his back during his Colorado Army National Guard service, the Board finds that the Veteran should be provided VA medical examinations for his bilateral knee disability and back disability. See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 83 (2006). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Make a follow-up request for records from Cheyenne VAMC beginning in 1972; it must be specifically requested that any archived records be recalled and produced. Document any negative response and notify the Veteran accordingly. 2. Schedule the Veteran for VA medical examinations for his bilateral knee disability and back disability. The claims folder must be made available for review. The examiner must address the following: a. Express an opinion as to whether a bilateral knee disability is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service, to include whether he was disabled from a disease or injury during ACDUTRA, or whether he was disabled from an injury during INACDUTRA. b. Express an opinion as to whether a back disability is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service, to include whether he was disabled from a disease or injury during ACDUTRA, or whether he was disabled from an injury during INACDUTRA. In providing the above opinions, the examiner must address the documented parachute jumps in the record. 6. Then, readjudicate the issues on appeal. If any benefit sought remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case and then return the matter to the Board, if otherwise in order. WILLIAM H. DONNELLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Seay, 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.