Citation Nr: 21004470 Decision Date: 01/27/21 Archive Date: 01/27/21 DOCKET NO. 20-24 635 DATE: January 27, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service connection for right hand joint pain in fingers. Service connection for left hand joint pain in fingers. Service connection for right cellulitis in digits. Service connection for left cellulitis in digits. Service connection for acute sinusitis. Service connection for dermatitis. Service connection for costochondritis. Service connection for warts. Service connection for a headache disorder. Service connection for palpitations. Service connection for folliculitis. Service connection for right hip joint pain. Service connection for left hip joint pain. Service connection for chronic fatigue. Service connection for atypical chest pain. Service connection for fibromyalgia. Service connection for right shoulder tendonitis rotator cuff. Service connection for left shoulder tendonitis rotator cuff. Service connection for right tendonitis supraspinatus. Service connection for left tendonitis supraspinatus. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection for left ankle sprain. Service connection for seborrhea capitis. Service connection for numbness. A rating in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy claimed as hypoesthesia both hands. A rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy claimed as hypoesthesia both hands. A rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain. A rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. A rating in excess of 30 percent for pes planus. A compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. A compensable rating for eczema. A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with patellofemoral syndrome. A rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for pes planus. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for cervical strain. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for GERD. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left knee meniscal tear with PFS. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for eczema. An effective date earlier than December 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. REASONS FOR REMAND In his April 2018 notices of disagreement (NODs), the Veteran requested a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) as well as an informal conference at the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) regarding his claims. A DRO hearing/informal conference was never scheduled or held. In letters dated in October 2020 and December 2020, the Veteran and his representative were requested to clarify whether he still desired a hearing and if so, what type of hearing. The letters instructed that if he did not respond within 30 days, the original hearing request would be honored. As he has not responded to the letters, a remand is required in order to schedule him for his requested personal DRO hearing/informal conference at the AOJ. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a DRO hearing and informal conference at the AOJ. L. HOWELL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board E. Redman, 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.