Citation Nr: 18151815
Decision Date: 11/20/18	Archive Date: 11/20/18

DOCKET NO. 16-33 971
DATE:	November 20, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for left knee disability is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from February 1971 to April 1991. 
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2013 rating decision by the Decatur, Georgia, Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran initially requested a Board hearing. See July 2016 VA Form 9. However, he subsequently withdrew his request for a hearing. See Letter from Veteran received June 2017 and Congressional communication received June 2017. 
Entitlement to service connection for left knee disability is remanded.
The Veteran’s states that his current left knee disability (left meniscus tear and osteoarthritis) was incurred in or caused by his activer service. Specifically, he attributes his knee disorder to having made over 300 parachute jumps during his military service. While the evidence of record does not document the number of jumps, service records show that he served as an infantryman and received the parachutist badge.  
The April 2016 VA medical opinion did not include adequate rationale for the provided opinion. The examiner did not appear to consider the Veteran’s history of making 300 parachute jumps in service, stating only that there was nothing in the Veteran’s medical records noting a left knee injury in service. The VA examiner wrote that the Veteran’s symptoms started in service in 1980, but did not address a possible link or provide rationale as to an etiological link between the Veteran’s symptoms to a current diagnosis. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Obtain clarifying VA medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability. Following an interview of the Veteran, review of the claims file, and examination, the examiner should address the whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran’s currently left knee meniscal tear and/or osteoarthritis of the left knee:
a.	had its onset in service, or 
b.	is etiologically related to his active service, including as a result of parachute jumps in service, or
c.	was caused by a service connected disability(ies), or
d.	was aggravated by a service connected disability(ies).
The examiner must acknowledge review of the pertinent evidence of record. Of note, the examiner should address the clinical significance of the Veteran’s history of making multiple in-service parachute jumps. All necessary examinations, tests, and studies should be conducted.
Rationale for the requested opinion shall be provided. If the examiner cannot provide an opinion without resorting to mere speculation, provide an explanation stating why this is so. In so doing, the examiner shall explain whether the inability to provide a more definitive opinion is the result of a need for additional information or the limits of current medical knowledge with respect to the question. 
 
MICHAEL A. HERMAN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Goreham, Law Clerk