Citation Nr: 18160690
Decision Date: 12/27/18	Archive Date: 12/27/18

DOCKET NO. 17-38 622
DATE:	December 27, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a growth on thyroid is remanded.
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1964 to January 1966.  This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2017 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
The Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the appeal. 
The Veteran is seeking entitlement to service connection for a growth on his thyroid.  After a review of the Veteran’s claims file, the Board finds that the Veteran’s relevant VA treatment records have not been associated with the Veteran’s claims file.  The Board notes that the Statement of the Case dated June 5, 2017 indicates that the RO has reviewed the Veteran’s relevant treatment records electronically.  However, the Board cannot review such records electronically without having them associated with the Veteran’s claims file.     
Accordingly, the matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. The Agency of Original Jurisdiction should obtain outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the Veteran’s thyroid claim, and contact the Veteran to request his assistance in identifying any outstanding private treatment records.  All records/responses received must be associated with the electronic claims file.
2. After completing the above actions and any other necessary development, the claim must be readjudicated.  If the claim remains denied, a Supplemental Statement of the Case must be provided to the Veteran.  After the Veteran has had an adequate opportunity to respond, the appeal must be returned to the Board for appellate review.

 
MICHAEL LANE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. E. Kim, Associate Counsel

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