Entitlement to an effective date prior to October 10, 2017 for the grant of service connection for bone loss of skull, scarring/disfigurement of left ear, dizziness, left ear otitis externa, and otitis media,…

Board reasoning

The Board found a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain private treatment records referenced in the January 2019 VA examination prior to deciding the claim. It remanded to secure those records and consider whether earlier entitlement arose, given conflicting evidence on onset. The decision centers on ensuring complete private treatment evidence is obtained to correct the duty to assist before final adjudication.