Citation Nr: 21074181
Decision Date: 12/14/21	Archive Date: 12/14/21

DOCKET NO. 17-52 019
DATE: December 14, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for osteonecrosis of the left hip is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served honorably in the Army from September 1983 to July 1986. 

Entitlement to service connection for osteonecrosis of the left hip is remanded.

The Veteran contends his left hip osteonecrosis (also claimed as arthritis) is related to his service. Specifically, he claims it was incurred during his service because of spending extensive time in extremely cold weather. For example, on his September 2017 VA Form 9 (Substantive Appeal to the Board), he noted that he was a member of a combat support unit that spent time training in cold weather and would spend up to 45 days operating out of a non-heated tent. He believes that resulted in the need to have a hip replacement at a young age from osteonecrosis. 

In the same correspondence, the Veteran also indicates that he believes that his time in serviceespecially his time spent training in extremely cold weatheraggravated a preexisting condition that resulted in osteonecrosis. He explained that he had been diagnosed with rickets as a child, which caused him to have soft bones.  As to his contention that he had a preexisting condition when beginning his service, the Board sees that his service treatment records (STRs), and especially his entrance examination, are unremarkable for any mention of "soft bones" or rickets and he has not submitted any medical evidence indicating this condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted his service. 

The Board sees the Veteran was stationed in Germany during service and that his documented military occupational specialty (MOS) of laundry and bath specialist is consistent with his statement that he was a member of a combat support unit. Further, he is competent to testify that he trained in extremely cold weather. Consequently, the Board finds that an examination and opinion are needed to ascertain the etiology of his left hip condition  including the arthritis and osteonecrosis mentioned  especially in terms of whether related or attributable to his military service and especially to the training he did in cold or frigid weather. 

Accordingly, this claim is REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his left hip.  The examiner is asked to review the relevant evidence in the claims file  including a complete copy of this remand, and indicate whether it is as likely as not the Veteran's left hip condition is related or attributable to his service, including time spent training in cold weather?  

Provide rationale supporting the opinion.  

 

KEITH W. ALLEN

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	C. B. Kucera

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.