Citation Nr: 18141518
Decision Date: 10/10/18	Archive Date: 10/10/18

DOCKET NO. 16-12 469
DATE:	October 10, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded. 
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from August 1968 to June 1970. The Veteran was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. 
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Veteran was previously represented by the American Legion; however, in March 2018, the Veteran submitted a VA Form 21-22a appointing Andrew R. Rutz, attorney. The Board recognizes this change in representation. 
The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right hip disorder, which he alleges is due to carrying his machine gun on his right side while in Vietnam. He contends that he has experienced chronic pain in his right hip since he was in the military. Additionally, he asserts that he was diagnosed with sciatica about 10 years after he left the service by an orthopedic surgeon, who is now retired. The orthopedic surgeon’s medical records cannot be located. 
A review of the Veteran’s medical records from 2014–2016 indicates that he has reported chronic pain, which he described as burning or tingling, in his lower back and right hip and leg. The Veteran underwent a VA Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in March 2016.  The MRI revealed mild cartilage degeneration in the right hip, evidence of ischiofemoral impingement with narrowing of the ischiofemoral interval, deformity and atrophy of the right quadratus femoris muscle, as well as tendinosis of the common tendon origin of the long head of the biceps and semitendinosus on the right. 
In light of the Veteran’s lay assertions and diagnosis on record, an opinion should be sought regarding the etiology of his claimed right hip disorder. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical exam to determine the nature and etiology of any right hip disorder. The examiner should review the claims file in its entirety, including a copy of this REMAND, and note that review in the report. The examiner should state whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater possibility) that the Veteran’s right hip disorder had its onset during active duty service or is otherwise related to his active military service. 
The term “at least as likely as not” does not mean within the realm of possibility, but rather that the medical evidence both for and against a conclusion is so evenly divided that it is as medically sound to find in favor of a conclusion as it is to find against it. 
A detailed rationale for the conclusion(s) reached must be provided. The examiner must consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptomatology. If the examiner is unable to provide an opinion without resort to speculation he or she should explain why. 
2. After ensuring compliance with the development requested above, readjudicate the claim. If any decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow the appropriate time for response. Then, return the case to the Board. 
 
LESLEY A. REIN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Robinson, Associate Counsel