Citation Nr: 21064420 Decision Date: 10/20/21 Archive Date: 10/20/21 DOCKET NO. 13-25 958 DATE: October 20, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for left knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected pes planus, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1952 to September 1954 and October 1954 to September 1957. The Veteran died in May 2015. The appellant, the Veteran's surviving spouse, is substitute for the claim. A June 2019 Board decision, in pertinent part, denied service connection for left leg or knee condition. The appellant appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In April 2020, the Court issued an order that partially vacated the Board's decision and remanded the matter on appeal for adjudication consistent with the Joint Motion for Partial Remand by the parties. Service connection for left knee disability The Veteran contended his left leg disability was related to an incident during service when his vehicle overturned and his left leg hit the dashboard. Additionally, the Veteran contended his pes planus worsened and led to further problems with his left leg. See March 2004 and March 2010 statements. In July 2021, the RO obtained medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Board finds the medical opinions were conclusory and did not provide sufficient rationale. The Board requests an addendum medical opinion. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The clinician is asked to provide a response to the following: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) the Veteran's left knee disability manifested during service or was related to service, to include his contention that his vehicle overturned and his left leg hit the dashboard? See March 2004 and February 2010 statements. In providing the requested opinion, the examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's description of his in-service injury and his post-service symptoms. If there is any medical reason to accept or reject the proposition that the Veteran's reported injury in service represented the onset of his disability, this should be noted. By this remand, the Board makes no determination, express or implied, concerning the credibility of any lay statements on file. (b.) Is it at least as likely as not the Veteran's left knee disability was proximately due to service-connected pes planus? (c.) Is it at least as likely as not the Veteran's left knee disability was aggravated (worsened beyond its natural progression) by service-connected pes planus? If it is not possible to provide an opinion without resorting to speculation, the clinician must state whether the need to speculate is due to a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (no one could respond given medical science and the known facts), a deficiency in the record (additional facts are required), or the examiner (does not have the knowledge or training). KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Winkler, 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.