Citation Nr: 20002708
Decision Date: 01/13/20	Archive Date: 01/13/20

DOCKET NO. 10-14 213
DATE: January 13, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for a left hip/left leg disability other than left leg sciatica including as due to a service-connected disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) remanded this case for additional development as to the issues of service connection for left hip and left leg disabilities in July 2017.  Following that development, service connection for left leg disability, characterized as sciatica of the left leg, was granted.  The matter of service connection for a left hip disability remained on appeal.  The Veteran’s representative indicated in his December 2019 brief that the medical addendums obtained pursuant to the remand were inadequate because a separate disability of the left hip was not addressed.  

The Board notes that there appears to be clinical overlapping between left hip and left leg disability as a VA examiner previously indicated that the sciatica was a left hip impairment.  The Board also previously noted that impaired flexion of the left leg was shown.  That impairment has not specifically been attributed to the sciatica.  In light of the foregoing, the Board finds that an additional examination should be undertaken to specifically address whether the Veteran has separate left leg and left hip disabilities.  It should also be determined if impairment of leg (hip) flexion is part and parcel of the service-connected left leg sciatica.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Afford the Veteran a VA examination.  The examiner should review the record prior to examination. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is more likely than not, less likely than not, or at least as likely as not, that the Veteran has a separate left hip/leg disability apart from left leg sciatica.  The examiner should specifically determine if impairment of flexion of the left leg (hip) is due to the left leg sciatica, and if not, the etiology of that impairment.  If the Veteran has a separate left hip/leg disability apart from left leg sciatica the examiner should opine: (1) whether it had its clinical onset during service or is related to any in-service disease, event, or injury (2) if it is more likely than not, less likely than not, or at least as likely as proximately due to, or the result of, the service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM) to include its complications, peripheral neuropathy and/or left ankle disability; and (3) if it is more likely than not, less likely than not, or at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by the Veteran’s service-connected DM to include its complications, peripheral neuropathy, and/or left ankle disability. 

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The examiner should provide a complete rationale for all opinions expressed and conclusions reached.

 

 

S. L. Kennedy

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J. Connolly, Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.