Citation Nr: 21068928
Decision Date: 11/16/21	Archive Date: 11/15/21

DOCKET NO. 17-30 944
DATE: November 16, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for hypertension.

REASONS FOR REMAND

Additional development is necessary prior to deciding the issue on appeal.  Following the February 2019 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), additional relevant VA medical records were added to the claims file.  

The Board sent the Veteran a September 2021 waiver letter asking if he would like to waive initial review by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

However, the attached form was never returned, and waiver of initial AOJ review has not been clearly indicated.  As such, remand for a new SSOC addressing the VA-generated medical evidence added to the claims file after the prior February 2019 SSOC is warranted. 

The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and associate them with the claims file.

2.  Readjudicate the remanded claim. If benefits are not 

 

granted in full, then, provide the Veteran with a SSOC and allow an appropriate opportunity to respond. 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.