Citation Nr: 21041000 Decision Date: 07/07/21 Archive Date: 07/07/21 DOCKET NO. 18-19 062 DATE: July 7, 2021 REMANDED The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 30 percent for a tracheostomy scar is remanded. The issue of an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss of more than 20 percent prior to November 25, 2019, and more than 50 percent thereafter is remanded. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for mandibular malunion with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is remanded. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for left femur fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation is remanded. The issue of an initial compensable rating for post traumatic headaches associated with TBI is remanded. The issue of an initial compensable rating for a septal fracture, status post rhinoplasty prior to November 25, 2019, and more than 10 percent thereafter is remanded. The issue of an initial compensable rating for a scar, status post left femur fracture is remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the United States Air Force from January 1953 through January 1957. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2015 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In November 2019, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. A hearing transcript is in the record. The appeal was last before the Board in March 2020 and remanded for additional development. 1. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 30 percent for a tracheostomy scar is remanded. 2. The issue of an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss of more than 20 percent prior to November 25, 2019 and more than 50 percent thereafter is remanded. 3. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for TBI is remanded. 4. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for mandibular malunion with TMJ dysfunction is remanded. 5. The issue of an initial increased rating of more than 10 percent for left femur fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation is remanded. 6. The issue of an initial compensable rating for post traumatic headaches associated with TBI is remanded. 7. The issue of an initial compensable rating for a septal fracture, status post rhinoplasty prior to November 25, 2019 and more than 10 percent thereafter is remanded. 8. The issue of an initial compensable rating for a scar, status post left femur fracture is remanded. 9. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. BACKGROUND FOR THE RO ADJUDICATOR: In June 2020, the VA received notice that the Veteran is in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. As VA's duty to assist extends to obtaining SSA records where they may be relevant to the issues under consideration, remand is required to obtain the Veteran's SSA records. See Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2010); see also Murinscak v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 363 (1992). Additionally, the issue of TDIU has been raised by the record. VA examinations reflect that some of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effect his ability to work. See Rice v. Shinseki, 22 Vet. App. 447 (2009); Roberson v. Principi, 251 F.3d 1378 (Fed. Cir. 2001). As the issue of a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the issues of an increased evaluations, it is deferred pending the outcome of the increased evaluation issues. See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180, 183 (1991) (issues are "inextricably intertwined" when a decision on one issue would have a "significant impact" on another issue. The remand directives follow. 2. Contact the SSA and obtain all medical records associated with the disability determination made by that agency. Associate all records with the claims file, and if no records can be found after an exhaustive search, so annotate the claims file. 3. After the above development, readjudicate the issues on appeal, to include the intertwined issue of TDIU on appeal. If the benefits sought on appeal are denied, the Veteran and his representative should be supplied a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board. Vito A. Clementi Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board K. McDuffie, 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.