Citation Nr: 21014869
Decision Date: 03/16/21	Archive Date: 03/16/21

DOCKET NO. 15-41 054A
DATE: March 16, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to payment or reimbursement of fees for ambulance services on October 9, 2014 is remanded in order for the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the appeal to the electronic claims file.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from October 1979 to January 1984.  He has claimed entitlement to payment or reimbursement for the cost of transportation by ambulance to a VA hospital on October 9, 2014.

The complete file for the claim of entitlement to payment or reimbursement of fees for ambulance services on October 9, 2014 cannot be located, and some documentation pertinent to the appeal is not in the electronic record, including but not limited to the original claim and decision and any relevant medical records.

Therefore, this case must be remanded for the AOJ to reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the appeal to the electronic claims file.  If any such records cannot be located, the AOJ should make a formal finding of unavailability.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Reconstruct the record and upload all documentation related to the claim for payment or reimbursement for unauthorized expenses incurred by the Veteran for ambulance services on October 9, 2014 to the electronic claims file, including, but not limited to, the original claim and decision and any relevant medical records.

2. If any such records are unable to be associated with the electronic record, make a formal finding of unavailability. 

 

S.C. KREMBS

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.