Citation Nr: 21062683 Decision Date: 10/08/21 Archive Date: 10/08/21 DOCKET NO. 12-20 858 DATE: October 8, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease prior to August 28, 2015, is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for loss of automatic movements (Left) associated with Parkinson's disease is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for loss of automatic movements (right) associated with Parkinson's disease is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors with muscle rigidity of the right upper extremity is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the left upper extremity is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors and bradykinesia with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the right lower extremity is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors and bradykinesia with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the left lower extremity is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for urinary problems from August 28, 2015 to October 23, 2015; in excess of 20 percent from October 23, 2015, to September 13, 2017; and in excess of 40 percent, thereafter, is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for speech changes is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for dysphagia is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for anosmia is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for stooped posture is remanded. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for constipation is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for sexual dysfunction is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 1967 to January 1969. This case comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2010 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In December 2012, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Board remanded this case for additional development in May 2015, August 2017, and February 2021. It is noted that the Veteran has been in receipt of a 100 percent rating since 2003, and also is in receipt of special monthly compensation. 1. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Parkinson's disease prior to August 28, 2015, is remanded. 2. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for loss of automatic movements (Left) associated with Parkinson's disease is remanded. 3. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for loss of automatic movements (right) associated with Parkinson's disease is remanded. 4. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors with muscle rigidity of the right upper extremity is remanded. 5. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the left upper extremity is remanded. 6. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors and bradykinesia with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the right lower extremity is remanded. 7. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for tremors and bradykinesia with muscle rigidity and balance impairment of the left lower extremity is remanded. 8. Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for urinary problems from August 28, 2015 to October 23, 2015; in excess of 20 percent from October 23, 2015, to September 13, 2017; and in excess of 40 percent, thereafter, is remanded. 9. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for speech changes is remanded. 10. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for dysphagia is remanded. 11. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for anosmia is remanded. 12. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for stooped posture is remanded. 13. Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for constipation is remanded. 14. Entitlement to a compensable rating for sexual dysfunction is remanded. The Board greatly regrets the additional delay, but remand is again necessary in order to obtain outstanding medical records that may be pertinent to the Veteran's claims on appeal. During the Veteran's December 2012 hearing, the Veteran stated that he was treating for his Parkinson's disease through a private neurologist, Dr. Felix Rivera. The Veteran stated that he had been treating with Dr. Rivera since approximately October 2008 and that VA had approved his treatment provided by Dr. Rivera. Hearing Testimony, pp. 3, 9. In September 2014, records from Dr. Rivera were associated with the claims file; however, these records only covered the period from September 2013 to July 2014. Unfortunately, the record does not indicate that appropriate requests for records from October 2008 to September 2013 or after July 2014 have been made. "VA's duty to assist extends to providing assistance to obtain all 'VA medical records or records of examination or treatment at non-VA facilities authorized by VA' if adequately identified by a claimant." Sullivan v. McDonald, 815 F.3d 786, 790 (Fed. Cir. 2016); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159 (c)(3). The Board finds that appropriate attempts to obtain these records should be undertaken prior to adjudication of the Veteran's claims. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Undertake appropriate efforts to obtain any identified, outstanding treatment records related to the Veteran's treatment for Parkinson's disease since October 2008. In particular, arrange to obtain any outstanding treatment records from Dr. Felix Rivera since October 2008. K. Parakkal Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board P.M. Johnson, 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.