Citation Nr: 21001374 Decision Date: 01/07/21 Archive Date: 01/07/21 DOCKET NO. 14-31 007A DATE: January 7, 2021 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for laceration scar on anterior aspect of the left lower leg below the knee is granted. REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded. FINDING OF FACT A VA examination report revealed a residual scar on the left lower extremity consistent with the in-service laceration. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for entitlement to service connection for a laceration scar on anterior aspect of the left lower leg below the knee have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty in the Marines from June 1974 to June 1978. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2011 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). This claim was last before the Board in December 2019 where it was remanded for additional development. SERVICE CONNECTION 1. Entitlement to service connection for a residual scar from left leg laceration The Veteran contends he suffered a laceration in service when he was struck by a barracuda in the ocean. The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current disability that is related to service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). Service treatment records reveal the Veteran suffered a 2½ inch long laceration to the anterior aspect of the left lower leg below the knee on April 8, 1975. The December 2019 VA examiner noted the Veteran has a scar on the left medial aspect of the left lower leg, below the knee, which is consistent with his description of the laceration he sustained while in service. Upon review of the record, the Board finds the evidence to at least be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current scar on the medial aspect of the left lower leg is related to the laceration in service. Accordingly, after resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that service connection for a laceration scar on anterior aspect of the left lower leg below the knee is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107; 38 C.F.R. § 3.102. REASONS FOR REMAND 1. Entitlement to service connection for left knee disability is remanded. In accordance with prior remand instructions, a VA opinion was obtained in December 2019. The examiner was instructed to indicate whether the impact of the barracuda to the knee or marching could have resulted in subsequent development of arthritis. The VA examiner did not address the impact of the barracuda on the Veteran’s knee and instead focused on the laceration from the barracuda bite. Therefore, the Board finds the examiner’s opinion to be incomplete. As such, additional opinion is warranted in order to comply with the terms of the Board’s prior remand instructions. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum medical opinion that addresses why the Veteran’s left knee arthritis is or is not a post-traumatic residual of being forcefully struck by a barracuda in the water and/or forced marches with a heavy pack. The examiner should provide a rationale for the conclusions reached. 2. If the claim remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case. K. A. BANFIELD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board G. N. Wilson, Associate 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.