Citation Nr: 21004407 Decision Date: 01/27/21 Archive Date: 01/27/21 DOCKET NO. 16-15 065 DATE: January 27, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for Bell’s palsy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1977 to June 1989. The Veteran and his wife testified before the undersigned Veterans’ Law Judge in August 2019; a copy of the transcript is associated with the record. The Board remanded this matter in November 2019. The Board regrets the additional delay. However, as stated in his August 2019 hearing, the Veteran reported being treated for Bell’s palsy symptoms in 2014/2015 and identified a primary care physician and neurologist as his treating providers. These records do not appear to be associated with the Veteran’s file. Though the Board’s prior remand requested that updated records be obtained, there does not appear to be any information sought from the Veteran on the treatment for his palsy symptoms. The Board finds that the records are necessary for the proper adjudication of the Veteran’s claim and that remand is required to obtain the records.   The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the Veteran and afford him the opportunity to identify by name, address, and dates of treatment or examination any relevant VA or private medical treatment records for his Bell’s palsy, specifically including Dr. B. and Dr. S. identified in his August 2019 hearing testimony. After securing the proper authorizations where necessary, arrange to obtain all the records of treatment or examination from all the sources listed by the Veteran that are not already on file. All information obtained must be made part of the file. 2. Thereafter, if any records are received as a result of the above request, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, with a neurologist (M.D.), if possible, to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed Bell’s palsy symptoms. Efforts should be made to schedule the examination during a time of flare-up, if possible. The examiner should: (a.) Conduct a complete review of the claims file, perform an examination of the Veteran, and complete any clinically indicated diagnostic testing. (b.) Identify any disabilities related to the Veteran’s symptoms. The examiner should consider the lay statements of record of the Veteran’s symptoms. (c.) Provide an opinion as whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any disability associated with the Veteran’s symptoms had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any in service disease, event, or injury. The examiner must provide a comprehensive report including complete rationales for all opinions and conclusions reached. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Parrish, 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.