Citation Nr: 21069758
Decision Date: 11/19/21	Archive Date: 11/19/21

DOCKET NO. 16-57 600
DATE: November 19, 2021

REMANDED

The issue of service connection for Dupuytren's contracture, to include as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from December 1965 to September 1967.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from a July 2013 rating decision.  In August 2019, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing; a transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file.  In November 2019, the Board remanded the appeal to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

1. The issue of service connection for Dupuytren's contracture, to include as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is remanded.

The Veteran contends that his Dupuytren's contracture involving both hands is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

In this case, additional treatment records from the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center (VAMC) were added to the electronic claims file after the August 2020 supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).  In November 2021, the Veteran requested that the Board remand his appeal to allow the AOJ to consider the new evidence in the first instance.  The AOJ should review and consider all evidence added to the claims file since the August 2020 SSOC.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

The AOJ should consider all evidence added to the electronic claims file since the August 2020 SSOC and readjudicate the issue of entitlement to service connection for Dupuytren's contracture, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.  If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the AOJ must provide an SSOC to the Veteran and his representative.  After an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review.  

 

 

K. Conner

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Laura Kirscher Strauss

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.