Citation Nr: 18159250 Decision Date: 12/18/18 Archive Date: 12/18/18 DOCKET NO. 14-10 419 DATE: December 18, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an increased evaluation for lumbar sacral strain with mild spondylosis and mild degenerative disc disease, presently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 18, 2016, and as 40 percent disabling thereafter is remanded. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to service connection of a right hip condition is remanded. Entitlement to service connection of a prostate disability is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from December 1985 to May 2005. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2013 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Roanoke, Virginia. 1. Entitlement to an increased evaluation for lumbar sacral strain with mild spondylosis and mild degenerative disc disease, presently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 18, 2016, and as 40 percent disabling thereafter is remanded. 2. Entitlement to an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded. In the Veteran’s claim for increased ratings for his low back and right knee, submitted on July 15, 2011, the Veteran discussed receiving treatment for his various physical disabilities from a physician at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital (he discussed needing to go to the emergency room while waiting for treatment from a doctor at that facility. While some 2009 emergency room records are available from that facility, the Board has carefully reviewed the other evidence of record and found no further treatment records from the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Therefore, to the extent that any treatment records from that facility may direct impact the Veteran’s claims for an increased rating for his right knee and low back, the Board will remand those claims so that any outstanding private treatment records may be obtained. 3. Entitlement to service connection of a right hip condition. 4. Entitlement to service connection of a prostate disability is remanded. Concerning the claim of service connection for a hip condition, that disability has only been evaluated within the parameter of a secondary service connection claim. However, a review of the Veteran’s service treatment records shows multiple complaints of right groin pain, the result of a basketball injury in service, as well as at least one complaint of right hip pain. Therefore, an examination should be conducted which addresses any possible present right hip disability and provides an opinion with regard to any medical nexus to service. Likewise, to date, the Veteran’s claim of service connection for prostate cancer or other prostate condition has been denied as there is no evidence of a present diagnosis associated with the prostate, and no evidence of an in-service incurrence of prostate issues. However, in October 2013, medical records indicate possible abnormalities with the Veteran’s prostate. He also was noted to have multiple complaints of urinary frequency and urgency, as well as possible prostatitis in his service treatment records. Thus, an examination should be conducted. 5. Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded. To the extent that the other claims remanded above may have a direct bearing on the Veteran’s statutory entitlement to TDIU, that claim is also remanded as inextricably intertwined. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Invite the Veteran to submit any additional evidence in support of his claim. Particularly, the Veteran should be requested to identify any outstanding private treatment records, in particular any records from the Portsmouth Naval Hospital from July 2011 to the present. The RO should make all necessary attempts to obtain any outstanding records identified by the Veteran. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right hip disability. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the Veteran’s complaints of hip pain and/or groin pain during active service. 3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any prostate disability. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the Veteran’s complaints of urinary issues and prostatitis during active service. B.T. KNOPE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD M. Pryce, Associate Counsel