Citation Nr: 18153545
Decision Date: 11/28/18	Archive Date: 11/27/18

DOCKET NO. 15-27 565
DATE:	November 28, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.
Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from October 1984 to October 1988, with additional reserve service.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a May 2014 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
1. Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.
2. Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
Upon review of the record, the Board finds that an additional opinion is needed with respect to the Veteran’s left knee claim, and an additional VA examination    is needed with respect to the bilateral hearing loss claim.
The Veteran contends that his current left knee disability is related to his military service, to include running and marching duties. Service treatment records in 1985 show treatment for the left knee on several occasions and complaints of left knee tenderness, swelling and pain, especially when running, walking and climbing stairs; the diagnoses were recurrent Osgood Schlatter’s disease and likely lateral meniscus tear. An April 2014 VA examiner diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and provided a negative nexus opinion. However, the examiner did not provide sufficient explanation for the conclusion. Thus, an addendum opinion is needed. 
The Veteran’s most recent audiological VA examination was in April 2014. In a January 2017 statement, the Veteran essentially contended his bilateral hearing   loss had worsened, such that the severity was not accurately reflected in the April 2014 VA examination. Accordingly, an updated VA audiology examination is warranted.
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses       of all medical care providers who have recently treated    him for his claimed left knee and bilateral hearing loss disabilities. After securing any necessary releases, request any relevant records identified that are not duplicates of those associated with the claims file. In addition, obtain updated VA treatment records since April 2015. If any requested records are unavailable, the Veteran should be notified of such.
2. After records development is completed, send the claims file to a VA examiner to obtain an addendum opinion as to whether the claimed left knee condition      is related to service. If a new examination is deemed necessary to respond to the questions presented, one should be scheduled. Following review of the claims  
file, the examiner should opine whether it is at least   as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the current left knee disability arose during service or is otherwise related to service. The examiner should explain why or why not, to include addressing service treatment records in 1985 pertaining to left knee problems, including the diagnoses of Osgood Schlatter’s disease and likely meniscus tear. The examiner is asked to consider in-service complaints  of left knee tenderness, swelling and pain, especially when running, walking and climbing stairs.  A complete rationale must be provided for any      opinion expressed.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims      file must be reviewed by the examiner. All necessary tests should be performed and the results reported.
 
K. A. BANFIELD
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. C. Birder, Associate Counsel