Citation Nr: 21006931 Decision Date: 02/08/21 Archive Date: 02/08/21 DOCKET NO. 18-17 889 DATE: February 8, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for a cardiological disability other than hypertension is remanded. Service connection for hypertension is remanded. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is remanded. Service connection for a stomach disability is remanded. Service connection for an eye disability is remanded. Service connection for a kidney disability is remanded. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for arthritis is remanded. Service connection for a respiratory disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The appellant is a Veteran who served on active duty from June 1965 to May 1967. These matters are before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2016 rating decision appealed in a timely notice of disagreement (NOD) later that month and perfected by a timely March 2018 substantive appeal in response to February 2018 statement of the case (SOC). In October 2019, a hearing was held before the undersigned. The hearing transcript is associated with the record but indicates the Veteran and his representative were largely inaudible. The Board sent a December 2020 letter informing the Veteran of this and his right to a new hearing, but the Veteran did not respond. 1. Service connection for a cardiological disability other than hypertension is remanded. 2. Service connection for hypertension is remanded. 3. Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded. 4. Service connection for a psychiatric disability is remanded. 5. Service connection for a stomach disability is remanded. 6. Service connection for an eye disability is remanded. 7. Service connection for a kidney disability is remanded. 8. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. 9. Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 10. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 11. Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 12. Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 13. Service connection for arthritis is remanded. 14. Service connection for a respiratory disability is remanded. Although the Veteran’s hearing testimony was largely inaudible, the Board notes that the portions that were transcribed suggests the Veteran currently receives treatment for his claimed disabilities and that he reported some pertinent events or symptoms during service. Service treatment records (STRs) also include pertinent notations at separation (i.e., right wrist sprain, burning or tearing of both eyes, and reports of dizzy spells with exercise or heat exposure, occasional low back pain, foot trouble, depression or excessive worry, and nervous trouble). Moreover, there are no post-service treatment records in the file and, given the extent of his claimed disabilities, the Board finds it likely that there is outstanding pertinent medical evidence in this appeal. Consequently, a remand is needed for further development. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all updated records (i.e., those not already of record) of VA and adequately identified private treatment the Veteran has received for the disabilities remaining on appeal. Inform the Veteran that it is ultimately his responsibility to ensure that pertinent private records are added to the record, either by providing them personally or the authorizations and identifying information needed for VA to obtain them on his behalf. 2. Arrange or any additional development indicated by the record after the above development is complete (e.g., arranging for examinations to assess the nature and likely causes of the disabilities on appeal). 3. Inform the Veteran that he has the right to attend a new hearing given his prior hearing transcript is largely unusable due to an apparent recording error. If the Veteran indicates that he wishes to appear for a second hearing, one should be scheduled before readjudicating these claims. VICTORIA MOSHIASHWILI Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Yuan, 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.