Citation Nr: 21067879
Decision Date: 11/05/21	Archive Date: 11/05/21

DOCKET NO. 15-41 180
DATE: November 5, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for lower back disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from August 1972 to August 1976.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a September 2013 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

In June 2021, the Veteran testified during a video conference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file.

The Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims. Specifically, there are outstanding, relevant non-VA treatment records.

At his June 2021 Board hearing the Veteran indicated he has received treatment for his bilateral shoulder and back disabilities from a private physician and from Kaiser Permanente since separation. 

The Veteran indicated his private physician is deceased; however, he believes his treatment records may still be available. The Veteran stated he has been solely seen at Kaiser since the death of his physician. Neither the Kaiser records, nor the records from his deceased physician are associated with the Veteran's claims file.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. The AOJ should request that the Veteran provide the names and addresses of any and all health care providers, to include Kaiser and his deceased physician, who have provided treatment for his claimed disabilities. After acquiring this information and obtaining any necessary authorization, the AOJ should obtain and associate these records with the claims file.

 

 

R. FEINBERG

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. St. Laurent, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.