Citation Nr: 21002623 Decision Date: 01/14/21 Archive Date: 01/14/21 DOCKET NO. 17-14 531 DATE: January 14, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability, to include datrial fibrillation, secondary to service-connected left knee disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1968 to April 1972. The Veteran appeals the denial of service connection in an April 2013 rating decision. For the reasons previously stated by the RO is the Statement of the Case, this appeal stems from the original May 2011 claim. The Veteran claims atrial fibrillation secondary to his left knee arthritis, status post joint replacement, based on the use of lidocaine during left knee replacement surgery in March 1999. The claims file currently contains a positive opinion regarding the contended nexus between the service-connected disability and a heart disability. The Board finds that the rationale of this opinion is insufficient upon which to adjudicate this appeal. The claims file also contains two VA opinions; the Board finds that these opinions are inadequate to adjudicate this appeal as both indicate that there is no known association between the use of lidocaine and the development of a heart disability, without reference or consideration of the private treating doctors contentions that there is such a known association. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA treatment records 2. After completion of directive #1, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination regarding the etiology of current heart disability. The examiner should review the record, to include specifically the medical opinion received October 11, 2012, that his atrial fibrillation was triggered as a complication of total knee replacement surgery. Thereafter, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran has a current acquired heart disability that is related to the service-connected left knee replacement, or medications received due to service-connected left knee replacement. In doing so, the examiner should consider the medical evidence and the Veteran’s own statements regarding incurrence. The examiner should provide a complete rationale for all opinions provided. The examiner is asked to specifically address the October 11, 2012 private medical opinion. Nathaniel J. Doan Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Ottley III 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.