Citation Nr: 18142843 Decision Date: 10/17/18 Archive Date: 10/16/18 DOCKET NO. 16-10 085 DATE: October 17, 2018 REMANDED The issue of service connection for arthritis is remanded. The issue of service connection for a right knee condition is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the United States Navy from September 1972 through September 1975. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2014 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 1. Entitlement to service connection for arthritis and a right knee condition is remanded. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request the Veteran provide any service treatment records she possesses or identify and secure any relevant private medical records that are not in the claims file. If the Veteran identifies private records, following the securing of the appropriate waivers, make all appropriate attempts to locate such records and to associate them with the claims file. If the Veteran has no further evidence to submit, or, if after exhaustive efforts have been made, no records can be identified, so annotate the record. 2. Obtain any outstanding VA medical records and associate them with the claims file. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her arthritis, right knee condition, and any other orthopedic condition that may exist. All appropriate tests, studies, and consultation, must be accomplished and all clinical findings must be reported in detail. Based upon a review of the relevant evidence of record, history provided by the Veteran, and sound medical principles, the VA examiner should provide the following opinions: (a.) Identify all currently-diagnosed acquired orthopedic diagnoses to include whether the Veteran has arthritis, a right knee condition, or any other orthopedic diagnosis. (b.) Identify whether any of the Veteran’s current orthopedic diagnoses were incurred in service or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness. The examiner must review the entire record in conjunction with rendering the requested opinions. In addition to any records that are generated because of this Remand, the VA examiner’s attention is drawn to the following: • While in April 1974, the Veteran was treated for pain in both legs. See “STR – Medical,” received May 23, 2014, page 15 of 41. • While in May 1974, the Veteran was treated for pain in both sides. See “STR – Medical,” received May 23, 2014, page 31 of 41. • September 1975 Report of Medical History documenting the Veteran’s report of swollen or painful joints. In this same report, the Veteran indicated having no arthritis. See “STR – Medical,” received May 23, 2014, page 3 of 41. • October 2008 VA Primary Care Physician Outpatient Note assessing right posterior knee pain, possibly radicular pain, ruling out deep vein thrombosis. See “CAPRI,” received October 8, 2014, page 771 of 782. • October 2009 VA Physical Medicine Rehab Diagnostic Study Report documenting the Veteran reporting numbness that radiates into the right thigh and the right lateral knee occurring since an injury at work in 2007. See “CAPRI,” received October 8, 2014, page 687 of 782. • October 2012 VA Surgery Consult assessing osteoarthritis and trigger finger (right thumb). See “CAPRI,” received October 8, 2014, page 363 of 782. • November 2013 VA Surgery Consult assessing osteoarthritis and documenting the Veteran reporting right knee pain for approximately two months due to an injury that occurred during a Zumba class. See “CAPRI,” received October 8, 2014, page 212 of 782. • March 2014 VA Procedure Note assessing degenerative joint disease right knee. See “CAPRI,” received October 8, 2014, page 184 of 782. A thorough explanation must be provided for the opinions rendered. If the examiner cannot provide the requested opinions without resorting to speculation, s/he should expressly indicate this and provide supporting rationale as to why the opinions cannot be made without resorting to speculation. (Continued on the next page)   The examiner is advised that by law, the mere statement that the claims folder was reviewed and/or the examiner has expertise is not sufficient to find the examination/opinion sufficient. Vito A. Clementi Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD S. McLendon, Associate Counsel