Citation Nr: A21001098 Decision Date: 01/14/21 Archive Date: 01/14/21 DOCKET NO. 200211-61834 DATE: January 14, 2021 REMAND Entitlement to service connection for a recurrent right knee disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from October 1999 to October 2004. Entitlement to service connection for a recurrent right knee disability is remanded. The Veteran asserts that service connection for a right knee disability is warranted as the claimed disability was initially manifested during active service. The service treatment records reflect that the Veteran was seen for right knee complaints. A December 1999 treatment record states that the Veteran complained of right knee pain. An assessment of right hamstring strain was advanced. The report of the October 2004 physical examination for service separation states that the Veteran was diagnosed with a right knee medial meniscal tear and underwent a December 2002 meniscectomy. The report of a December 2019 knee examination conducted for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the Veteran was diagnosed with right knee degenerative arthritis. The examiner concluded that “the claimed condition was less likely than not (less than 50 percent probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness.” The nurse-practitioner commented that “while Veteran has a diagnosis of right knee condition, there is no evidence in medical records that Veteran was treated for or complained of right knee problems whilst in service.” She did not note or otherwise address the documented in service right knee complaints. Given such omission, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) finds that the December 2019 knee examination report to be of limited probative value. VA’s duty to assist includes, in appropriate cases, the duty to conduct a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination which is accurate and fully descriptive. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006); Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121, 124 (1991). When VA undertakes to obtain an evaluation, it must ensure that the evaluation is adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007). Further VA knee evaluation is necessary. That is a pre decisional error. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a VA knee examination conducted by a physician to assist in determining the nature and etiology of any identified recurrent right knee disability and its relationship to active service. The examiner must review the record and should note that review in the report. A rationale for all opinions should be provided. The examiner should: (Continued on the next page)   (a) Diagnose all recurrent right knee disabilities found. (b) Opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any identified recurrent right knee disability had its onset during active service or is related to any incident of service, including the documented right knee complaints. J. T. HUTCHESON Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Edward G. Lent 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.