Citation Nr: 18145366 Decision Date: 10/26/18 Archive Date: 10/26/18 DOCKET NO. 16-19 208A DATE: October 26, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right hand/wrist disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine condition is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left foot disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND Having reviewed the record, the Board finds that remand is warranted. As a preliminary matter, the record contains illegible service treatment records (STR). Though there are legible STRs of record, the Board finds that remand is warranted to ensure that complete STRs are associated with the record. On remand, an effort should be made to rescan the STRs or obtain a legible copy of the Veteran’s complete STRs. If it is determined that the best copy of the STRs is already in the claims file, then this should be noted in the record and communicated to the Veteran. With respect to the PTSD claim, the Veteran submitted additional information detailing his claimed stressors in August 2012 and June 2015. However, it is unclear whether any subsequent efforts were made to verify the claimed stressors. Additionally, the Board notes that in January 2018, service connection was granted for another psychiatric condition, major depressive disorder, as due to service-connected migraine headaches. Prior to this, a December 2017 examiner stated that the Veteran had PTSD and depressive disorder, and that the disorder began subsequent to the service connected disorder identified as the antecedent condition. However, the examiner’s phrasing is unclear, and the Board finds that remand is needed to clarify the examiner’s opinion. In light of the above, remand is warranted. First, an attempt should be made to verify the Veteran’s stressors with the information supplied by the Veteran in August 2012 and June 2015. Second, an addendum opinion should be obtained from the December 2017 examiner, or an appropriate substitute, as to whether PTSD is related to the service-connected major depressive disorder, or the service-connected migraine headaches. With respect to the right hand/wrist claim, the Board notes that service connection is currently in effect for tendon damage of the right fourth finger. Of note, an August 2015 VA examination noted ankylosis of the right index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Additionally, the radiology report noted mild triscaphe and first carpometacarpal joint degenerative changes. The record does not appear to contain an opinion addressing the etiology of the above-noted conditions. In light of this, remand is warranted for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed right hand/wrist claim. With respect to the lumbar spine condition, the Veteran reported that he suffered from back pain in service, but did not complain or report to sick bay for treatment. See August 2012 Statement. He attributed his chronic back pain to carrying equipment for radio teams, a .50 caliber crew service weapon, and field supplies during forced marches. A December 2010 private treatment record reveals an assessment of acute back strain. In light of the Veteran’s report of pain since service, remand is warranted for an examination. The examiner should comment the nature and etiology of the claimed lumbar spine condition. With respect to the left and right knee claims, VA treatment records indicate that the Veteran has received treatment for knee pain during the pendency of the appeal. Additionally, STRs indicate that the Veteran was treated for an MCL strain of the right knee in August 1987. In light of the Veteran’s report of pain since service, remand is warranted for an examination. The examiner should comment the nature and etiology of the claimed bilateral knee disabilities. With respect to the left and right feet claims, a June 2014 VA podiatry note assessed the following conditions: bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, bilateral equinus, and bilateral hallux limitus. A July 1980 STR noted the Veteran’s complaint of bilateral pes planus in service. In light of this, remand is warranted for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed left and right feet disabilities. With respect to the hearing loss and tinnitus claims, a May 2016 VA treatment record noted tinnitus and hearing within normal limits sloping to mild and moderate sensorineural. It was also noted that the Veteran reported exposure to artillery and communications in service. In light of this, remand is warranted for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed hearing loss and/or tinnitus. With respect to the pseudofolliculitis barbae claim, the Veteran reported that his razor bumps, scarring, and decolorization began in service and continued since service. See February 2010 Correspondence. As this is a condition observable to the lay person, the Board finds that remand is warranted for an examination. Any outstanding VA treatment records should be obtained and associated with the claims file. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Attempt to rescan the above-noted illegible service treatment records (STR). If available records are not legible, an attempt should be made to obtain a legible copy of the Veteran’s complete STR from the appropriate sources. If it is determined that the best copy of the STR is already in the claims file, then this should be noted in the record and communicated to the Veteran. 2. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records relating to the claims. 3. Attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors, including the stressors detailed in August 2012 and June 2015 correspondences. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information. 4. Obtain an addendum opinion from the December 2017examiner, or an appropriate clinician, regarding whether the Veteran’s claimed PTSD is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected major depressive disorder or migraine headaches. 5. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right hand, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral feet disabilities. The examiner must opine whether any right hand, bilateral knee, and bilateral feet disabilities is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. With respect to the claimed right hand only, the examiner should additionally opine whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by service-connected tendon damage of the right fourth finger. Additionally, the examiner should consider the August 2015 VA examination notation of ankylosis of the right index, middle, ring, and little fingers, and mild triscaphe and first carpometacarpal joint degenerative changes. With respect to the claimed lumbar spine condition, attention is invited to the December 2010 private treatment record assessment of back strain, and the Veteran’s lay reports of chronic back pain since service. With respect to the claimed bilateral knee disabilities, attention is invited to the August 1987 right knee injury. With respect to the claimed bilateral feet disabilities, attention is invited to the July 1980 complaint of pes planus. 6. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss disability and/or tinnitus. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include reported exposure to artillery and communications in service. 7. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any pseudofolliculitis barbae. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, to include the Veteran’s lay reports of razor bumps, scarring, and decolorization manifesting in and continuing since service. K. J. ALIBRANDO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD S. Vang, Associate Counsel