Citation Nr: 21075338 Decision Date: 12/20/21 Archive Date: 12/20/21 DOCKET NO. 16-27 632 DATE: December 20, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 1975 to November 1976. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2014 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran was previously represented by a Veteran Service Organization (VSO). In November 2021, the Veteran submitted a written statement indicating that he elected to represent himself in proceedings before the Board. Thus, the VSO's representation has been terminated. Additionally, the Veteran submitted a letter September 2020 indicating that he wanted to schedule a Videoconference hearing. In August 2021, VA sent the Veteran a letter asking him to clarify whether he wanted to schedule a hearing in this matter, and in September 2021, the Veteran submitted a written request to withdraw his hearing. Therefore, the Board will proceed based upon the evidence in the claims file. This matter was remanded by the Board in June 2019 and is now back before the Board. Entitlement to a TDIU is remanded. The Veteran is seeking entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran is service-connected for benign paroxysmal vertigo, post-traumatic left trigeminal neuropathy, and residuals of a left mandible fracture. His combined rating is 20 percent. In September 2020, the Veteran wrote a letter indicating that he had fell and fractured seven ribs and his collarbone. He also reported another fall in 2018 where he hit his head on a side table. The Veteran believes that these injuries are related to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran further stated that he received treatment for his injuries at Dickinson Hospital and that he believed that Dickinson Hospital was releasing his treatment records to VA in support of his claim. The claims file does not indicate that the Veteran submitted a release form authorizing the release of those records, but he has clearly stated his desire to use those records to support his claim. Thus, VA must assist the Veteran in attempting to obtain those records. 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(1). Additionally, the claims file indicates that the Veteran sought disability benefits and that there may be outstanding records in the possession of the Social Security Administration (SSA) which could be relevant to the Veteran's claim. VA has a duty to obtain SSA records where it has notice of an application for Social Security disability benefits. 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(2). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any physician or facility that treated any injury resulting from his service-connected disabilities, to include Dickenson Hospital. Make two requests for the authorized records from any physician or facility authorized by the Veteran, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. 2. Obtain the Veteran's federal records from the Social Security Administration. Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file. J. B. FREEMAN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Boal, 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.