Citation Nr: 18149821
Decision Date: 11/13/18	Archive Date: 11/13/18

DOCKET NO. 18-48 613
DATE:	November 13, 2018
REMANDED
Service connection for a right hip disability, to include as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded.
The Veteran avers that his right hip disability warrants service connection, and specifically contends he has a hip disability secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.  On review, a remand is necessary to obtain new medical records in connection with a recent right total hip replacement (see October 2018 correspondence), and to obtain an addendum medical opinion.  The Veteran has specifically requested that VA obtain these records and the Board observes that an opinion, with rationale, is still needed in regard to whether the right hip disability was aggravated by the service-connected knee disabilities.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records dated to the present.
2. Follow proper protocol to request the Veteran’s treatment records from the physician’s office of Dr. John Moore in Pinehurst, North Carolina, for a hip replacement surgery performed in September 2018.  [The Veteran’s general authorization form for private treatment records was executed in April 2018 and is good for a 12-month period.]  
3. Obtain an addendum medical opinion on the issue of etiology for the right hip disability.  The examiner providing the opinion must have reviewed the Veteran’s claims file.  After review, please provide an opinion with supporting rationale on the following questions:
(a.) Is it at least as likely as not (at least a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s right hip disability is caused by the right and/or left knee disabilities?  
(b.) Is it at least as likely as not (at least a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s right hip disability is aggravated by (permanently worsened beyond a natural progression by) the right and/or left knee disabilities?  
(c.) Is it at least as likely as not (at least a 50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s right hip disability is related to an event in active service or manifested within one year from separation from service in 1991?
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4. Then readjudicate the appeal. If any benefit sought is not granted in full, provide the Veteran and his representative with an SSOC and afford them an appropriate time to respond before returning the case to the Board.
 
JEBBY RASPUTNIS
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. Nichols, Counsel