Citation Nr: 18132380
Decision Date: 09/06/18	Archive Date: 09/06/18

DOCKET NO. 13-21 950A
DATE:	September 6, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of service connection for nasal fracture residuals is remanded.  
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from June 1978 to January 1986.  
The issue of service connection for nasal fracture residuals is remanded.  
In his June 2010 Veteran’s Application for Compensation or Pension (VA Form 21 526), the Veteran reported that he had sustained a broken nose in a 1983 motor vehicle accident while stationed in Germany and was treated at the Frankfurt, Germany, Army Hospital.  The service treatment documentation of record does not refer to a nasal fracture.  
The record does not reflect that a search of the records of the Frankfurt, Germany, Army Hospital for relevant entries pertaining to treatment of the Veteran has been conducted.  When a veteran identifies clinical treatment associated with specific military facilities, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a duty to either undertake an exhaustive record search or explain why such action is not justified.  Dixon v. Derwinski, 3 Vet. App. 261, 264 (1992).  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Contact the United States Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) and/or any appropriate service entity and request that a search be made of the records of the Frankfurt, Germany, Army Hospital facility for the year 1983 for any entries pertaining to treatment of the Veteran.  If no records are located, a written statement to that effect should be incorporated into the record.  
 
J. T. HUTCHESON
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. A. Macek, Associate Counsel

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