Citation Nr: 21073311 Decision Date: 12/08/21 Archive Date: 12/08/21 DOCKET NO. 18-26 878 DATE: December 8, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from April 2008 to April 2009. The Veteran filed for service connection for these claims in March 2014. He contends that he has bilateral knee disorders due to numerous falls he experienced during service. While there is already an April 2018 VA opinion of record, it does not address the Veteran's contentions that his current knee arthritis is a result of numerous falls he experienced during active duty service. As such, a remand is needed for an addendum opinion that addresses the Veteran's contentions. Moreover, a review of the record indicates there is a pending SSA (Social Security Administration) medical records request. The RO should obtain these records to the extent possible. Additionally, the record suggests there may be outstanding reserve records. On remand, the RO should undergo any necessary additional development to obtain any outstanding service records. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. In remanding this case, the Board makes no credibility determination, expressed or implied, at this juncture. 2. Obtain any outstanding service records, including those associated with the Veteran's reserve duty, and associate them with the claims file. All records/responses received must be associated with the claims 3. Obtain SSA medical records to the extent possible. While a request has been made, it appears that the records have not yet been obtained. 4. Obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and right knee disorders. The electronic claims file must be made available to the examiner. If the examiner determines that another VA examination is necessary, one should be scheduled. Based on a review of the record, and a new examination if necessary, the examiner must address the following: (a.) Whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's left knee disorder is due to service or otherwise related to service? (b.) Whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's right knee disorder is due to service or otherwise related to service? (Continued on the next page) In addressing (a) and (b), the examiner should discuss the Veteran's reports that he had numerous falls during service. The Veteran contends he had a fall in 2008 at Ft. Hood and he subsequently fell while on active duty in May 2008 in Kuwait while unloading equipment. The term "at least as likely as not" does not mean within the realm of medical possibility, but rather that the medical evidence both for and against a certain conclusion is so evenly divided that it is as medically sound to find in favor of such a conclusion as it is to find against it. The examiner is not to improperly discount the Veteran's lay statements or rely solely on an absence of medical evidence in the record to support his or her conclusions without explaining the significance of the absence of evidence. A complete rationale must be provided for all opinions presented. If the medical professional cannot provide an opinion without resorting to mere speculation, he or she shall provide a complete explanation for why an opinion cannot be rendered. In so doing, the medical professional shall explain whether the inability to provide a more definitive opinion is the result of a need for additional information, or that he or she has exhausted the limits of current medical knowledge in providing an answer to that particular question(s). G. A. WASIK Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board J. Wade 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.