Citation Nr: 18156294 Decision Date: 12/07/18 Archive Date: 12/07/18 DOCKET NO. 16-51 522 DATE: December 7, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left knee history of partial medial meniscotomy with patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for epididymitis is remanded. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served in the United States Marine Corps from June 2006 to September 2006; and from October 2009 to October 2013. This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2014 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee history of partial medial meniscotomy with patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded. The most recent VA examination in connection with the Veteran’s service-connected right and left knee was conducted over four years ago, in September 2014. Additionally, in September 2015 correspondence, the Veteran reported that he has had continued pain and knee damage. He reported that the prescribed treatments for his knees have not alleviated his pain. Specifically, for his right knee, he reported he could not run, jump, or plant sideways. In addition, the Court in Correia v. McDonald held that the final sentence of 38 C.F.R. §4.59 requires that VA examinations include joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing and, if possible, with range of motion measurements of the opposite undamaged joint. Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016). Thus, the Court’s holding in Correia establishes additional requirements that must be met prior to finding that a VA examination is adequate. In light of the Veteran’s last examination being four years ago, his contentions that his right knee pain has worsened, and Correia, a new VA examination is needed. 2. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for epididymitis is remanded. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in September 2014 where a Male Reproductive System Conditions DBQ was filled out. It was reported that he had chronic epididymitis with left testicular pain. Also, a July 17, 2015 medical record reported that a cyst was found on his left epididymal head. Later, in his September 2015 correspondence, the Veteran reported that the he had pain in both of his testicles that had become worse. As the Veteran’s last VA examination was more than four years ago, and his condition appears to have worsened, a remand for a current VA examination is required. 3. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is remanded. At his September 2014 Initial PTSD VA examination, the examiner reported the Veteran’s PTSD was exhibited by recurrent involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the event that gave way to his PTSD and recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or the effect of his dreams was related to the traumatic event. He avoided or made efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the event that caused his PTSD. He also avoided or made efforts to avoid external reminders that aroused distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings, about or closely associated with the traumatic event. He had feelings of detachment and estrangement from others and a persistent inability to experience positive emotions. It was also reported he exhibited hypervigilance and sleep disturbances. In his September 2015 correspondence, he reported that his PTSD has become worse because he could no longer participate in things that used to provide him happiness, such as running and interacting in social settings. Also, on his September 2016 Form 9, the Veteran reported that his PTSD also affected his memory, caused depression, and that his sleep had become worse. As the Veteran contends that his symptoms have worsened and his last VA examination was over four years ago, in September 2014, a new VA examination is warranted to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s PTSD. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated medical records, VA and private, and associated them with the record. All records/responses received must be associated with the electronic claims file. 2. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities using the most recent DBQ form. The claims folder, including a copy of this remand, should be made available to the examiner for review prior to the examination. The examiner should acknowledge such review in the examination report. Any medically indicated tests should be conducted. 3. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected epididymitis using the most recent DBQ form. The claims folder, including a copy of this remand, should be made available to the examiner for review prior to the examination. The examiner should acknowledge such review in the examination report. Any medically indicated tests should be conducted. 4. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected PTSD using the most recent DBQ form. The claims folder, including a copy of this remand, should be made available to the examiner for review prior to the examination. The examiner should acknowledge such review in the examination report. (Continued on the next page)   Any medically indicated tests should be conducted. KRISTI L. GUNN Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. Wade, Associate Counsel