Citation Nr: 18148849 Decision Date: 11/08/18 Archive Date: 11/08/18 DOCKET NO. 16-32 821 DATE: November 8, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for gout, to include as secondary to tinea pedis, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disorder is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disorder is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating prior to May 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active military service from December 1979 to December 1983. This matter is on appeal from April 2014, February 2015, and September 2016 rating decisions. 1. Entitlement to service connection for gout, to include as secondary to tinea pedis, is remanded. Evidence indicates that there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records. While some VA records have been obtained, there are gaps in the years and months of the records in the claims file (e.g. records dated in 2010 and again in 2015, but none in between). Any VA treatment records are within VA’s constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issues on appeal. Additionally, a January 2014 record indicates private treatment for gout. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain all outstanding records. 2. Entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle disorders is remanded. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of whether the Veteran has a bilateral ankle disorder; and, if so, whether it is related to his military service, including left ankle treatment in 1983 and right ankle treatment in 1982, because no VA examination has been provided to the Veteran. 3. Entitlement to a compensable rating prior to May 7, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. As noted above, there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain them. 4. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded. More information is needed to allow the Board to make a fully-informed decision. While the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, VA has not yet attempted to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors involving trauma during his service in Cambodia and Lao, and as a result of a personal assault. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. In accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(1), make efforts to obtain all records identified by the Veteran, including any outstanding VA treatment records and records from Dr. S.H. 2. Afford the Veteran a VA examination with a medical professional of appropriate expertise who has reviewed the claims file, to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right or left ankle disorders. The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire should be utilized. The examiner is requested to review the record and offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., probability of approximately 50 percent) that any diagnosed right or left ankle disorders is related to service. The examiner should consider the in-service treatment for left ankle tendonitis in February 1983 and right ankle ligament strain in March 1982. A complete rationale should be given for all opinions and conclusions expressed. 3. Attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressors, including his reported traumas in Cambodia and Laos as discussed in a November 2015 treatment record, and personal assault as mentioned by the Veteran's father in a statement received in October 2018. If more details are needed, contact the Veteran to request the information. 4. Accord the Veteran a VA examination with a medical professional of appropriate expertise who has reviewed the claims file, to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire should be utilized. The examiner is requested to review the record and offer an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., probability of approximately 50 percent) that any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to service, including his reported traumas in Cambodia and Laos and personal assault. A complete rationale should be given for all opinions and conclusions expressed. A. C. MACKENZIE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD L. Barstow, Counsel