Citation Nr: 18142337
Decision Date: 10/15/18	Archive Date: 10/15/18

DOCKET NO. 16-32 723
DATE:	October 15, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from October 1990 to February 1996 with the United States Army.
The Board notes that the Veteran’s appeal originally included a claim for compensation for an umbilical hernia repair.  However, in the Veteran’s July 2016 substantive appeal, the Veteran indicated that he would only like to appeal his claim for entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability.  Accordingly, that is the only issue for which he has perfected an appeal, and it is the only issue before the Board. 
Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability is remanded.
At present, the Veteran claims entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for a left knee disability. The Veteran’s most recent VA examination to determine the severity of his left knee disability was completed in March 2014. In addition, in the Veteran’s July 2016 VA Form 9, Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, he argued that the symptoms of his left knee disability were worsening over time and required increased treatment measures. Notably, there are also additional VA treatment records in the claims file regarding the Veteran’s left knee disability.
Accordingly, the Board finds that a new examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected left knee disability.  See Caffrey v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 377, 381 (1994).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination with an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his left knee disability. The entire claims file and a copy of this remand must be made available to the examiner for review, and the examiner must specifically acknowledge receipt and review of these materials in any reports generated. 
The examiner must provide all findings, along with a complete rationale for any opinions provided.
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2.  Readjudicate the Veteran’s claim in light of any additional evidence.  If this claim is not granted to the Veteran’s satisfaction, send him and his representative a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) and give him an opportunity to respond to it before returning the file to the Board for further appellate consideration.
 
N. RIPPEL
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	B. Riordan, Associate Counsel