Citation Nr: 20021495 Decision Date: 03/26/20 Archive Date: 03/26/20 DOCKET NO. 17-42 392 DATE: March 26, 2020 REMANDED Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder is remanded. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is remanded. Service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from July 1993 to April 2014. With respect to all claims on appeal, in an August 2017 statement, the Veteran indicated that additional service treatment records not of record at the time of the November 2015 rating decision, or August 2017 statement of the case, had been scanned into his medical records at the Fargo VA Medical Center in July 2017. A July 2017 VA medical record shows that his service treatment records had been scanned. Thus, these additional service treatment records should be obtained. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder Available service treatment records show complaints of left and right shoulder pain. A November 2015 VA examiner diagnosed bilateral shoulder strains. In a separate opinion, the examiner noted that the Veteran’s service treatment records show that his shoulder problems resolved and that there is no mention of shoulder problems at his May 2013 separation examination. The examiner then opined that the Veteran’s shoulder strains are not related to service. An October 2014 VA medical record shows complaints of bilateral shoulder pain due to in-service injuries. While the Board appreciates the November 2015 VA examiner’s opinion, in addition to the additional service treatment records noted above, VA medical records added to the claims file since the examination show complaints of shoulder problems dated within one year of separation from service. Thus, an addendum that addresses the above should be obtained. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder Available service treatment records show complaints of left and right knee pain. The November 2015 VA examiner diagnosed bilateral knee strains. In a separate opinion, the examiner noted that the Veteran’s service treatment records show that his knee problems resolved and that there is no mention of knee problems at his May 2013 separation examination. The examiner then opined that the Veteran’s knee strains were not related to service. VA medical records show complaints of right knee pain in December 2015 and that he underwent left knee surgery in September 2017. While the Board appreciates the November 2015 VA examiner’s opinion, in addition to the additional service treatment records noted above, VA medical records added to the claims file since the examination contain an June 2017 addendum that reflects the clinician’s observation that the service treatment records indicate that the Veteran’s current left and right knee disorders are related to in service injuries. Thus, an opinion addendum that addresses these concerns should be obtained. Service connection for a bilateral foot disorder Available service treatment records do not show any complaints of foot problems. The November 2015 VA examination report reflects a history of bilateral foot pain starting in 2014 during service from working as a recruiter. The examiner diagnosed bilateral plantar fasciitis. In a separate opinion, the examiner noted that the only mention of foot problems in the Veteran’s service treatment records is that of athlete’s foot in 1993 and that there is no mention of foot problems at his May 2013 separation examination. The examiner then opined that the Veteran’s bilateral plantar fasciitis was not related to service. An October 2014 VA medical record shows complaints of bilateral foot pain due to in-service injuries. While the Board appreciates the examiner’s opinion, in addition to the additional service treatment records noted above, VA medical records added to the claims file since the examination show complaints of foot problems dated within one year of separation from service. Also, in a June 2017 statement, the Veteran asserted that he developed foot problems in 2010, not 2014 as noted in the examination report, when he started to wear dress shoes as a recruiter. Then, at the January 2020 Board hearing, he indicated that he did not seek treatment for his feet during service as he was the only recruiter and did not want to leave his post. Thus, an addendum opinion that addresses the above should be obtained. These matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain a copy of the additional service treatment records that were scanned into the Fargo VA Medical Center system, as reflected in the July 2017 medical record. 2. Then, arrange for the Veteran’s claims file to be reviewed by the examiner who conducted the November 2015 VA examinations for addendum opinions. (If that examiner is not available, the Veteran’s claims folder should be forward to another appropriate VA medical professional.) a. The examiner should discuss: (1) the service treatment records added to the claims file since the 2015 examination including any obtained from above, (2) the VA medical records added since that examination showing complaints of bilateral shoulder and foot pain in October 2014, and the June 2017 clinician’s observation that the Veteran’s knee disorders are related to in-service injuries, and (3) the Veteran’s lay statements regarding the history and chronicity of symptomatology, including his June 2017 statement that he developed foot problems in 2010 when he started to wear dress shoes as a recruiter and his January 2020 testimony that he did not seek treatment for his feet in service as he was the only recruiter and did not want to leave his post. (b.) The examiner should then opine as to: (1) whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s bilateral shoulder disorder had its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, or is otherwise causally related to such service; (2) whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s bilateral knee disorder had its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, or is otherwise causally related to such service; and (3) whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran’s bilateral foot disorder had its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, or is otherwise causally related to such service. The examiner should provide a complete rationale for all conclusions. 3. Then, readjudicate the claims on appeal. If any decision remains adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case, allow the appropriate time for response, and return the case to the Board. THERESA M. CATINO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. W. Kim, 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.