Citation Nr: 21030355 Decision Date: 05/18/21 Archive Date: 05/18/21 DOCKET NO. 18-03 396 DATE: May 18, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful left facial keloid scar and right inguinal hernia scar is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left facial keloid scar is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from October 1967 to October 1971. In April 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. The transcript is of record. 1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for painful left facial keloid scar and right inguinal hernia scar and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left facial keloid scar The Veteran last underwent a VA examination in April 2014 for his scars. At the April 2021 hearing, the Veteran testified that his left facial keloid scar is tight and painful and causes difficulty when he opens his mouth. He also testified that scar tissue from his right inguinal scar adhered to his bladder causing urinary frequency and obstruction. Based on the Veteran's testimony indicating a possible worsening of symptoms, a new VA examination is warranted to determine the current severity of the Veteran's scars. Additionally, the evidence indicates that there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records as the most recent records are from 2016. Any VA treatment records are within VA's constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issues on appeal. As such, a remand is required to allow VA to obtain them. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. In remanding this case, the Board makes no credibility determination, expressed or implied, at this juncture. 2. Obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records for the period from April 2016 to the present. If such records are unavailable, the Veteran's claim file must be clearly documented to that effect and the Veteran notified in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(e). 3. Contact the Veteran and afford him the opportunity to identify by name, address and dates of treatment or examination any relevant private medical records. Subsequently, and after securing the proper authorizations where necessary, make arrangements to obtain all the records of treatment or examination from all the sources listed by the Veteran which are not already on file. All information obtained must be made part of the file. All attempts to secure this evidence must be documented in the claims file. If, after making reasonable efforts, the records cannot be obtained, notify the Veteran and his representative and (a) identify the specific records that cannot be obtained; (b) briefly explain the efforts made to obtain those records; and (c) describe any further action to be taken with respect to the claim. The Veteran must then be given an opportunity to respond. 4. Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left facial keloid and right inguinal hernia scars. The electronic claims file must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination. Any appropriate evaluations, studies, and testing deemed necessary by the examiner should be conducted, and the results included in the examination report. The examiner should consider and address the testimony that his left facial scar causes tightness and difficulty opening his mouth and that his right inguinal scar tissue has adhered to his bladder per recent MRI and CAT scan findings, causing urinary frequency and obstruction. If there is a medical basis to support or doubt the history provided, the examiner should provide a fully reasoned explanation. A complete rationale should be given for all opinions and conclusions rendered. If the examiner feels that a requested opinion cannot be rendered without resorting to speculation, the examiner must state whether the need to speculate is caused by a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (i.e. no one could respond given medical science and the known facts) or by a deficiency in the record or the examiner (i.e. additional facts are required, or the examiner does not have the needed knowledge or training). 5. Upon completion of the above directives, complete any other necessary development after review of any additionally received records, to include additional VA examinations such as a urological examination if warranted. G. A. WASIK Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. A. Prinsen 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.