Citation Nr: 21075720 Decision Date: 12/21/21 Archive Date: 12/21/21 DOCKET NO. 18-40 598 DATE: December 21, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis (neck disability) is remanded. Service connection for a right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee disability) is remanded. Service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis (low back disability) is remanded. Service connection for left hip osteoarthritis (left hip disability) is remanded. Service connection for left knee arthritis is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from February 1973 to March 1975. This matter is before the Board of Veterans' Appeal (Board) on appeal from a June 2017 rating decision issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Veteran appeared at a Travel Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in August 2021. A transcript of the hearing is in the Veteran's file. 1. Service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis (neck disability) is remanded. 2. Service connection for a right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee disability) is remanded. 3. Service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis (low back disability) is remanded. 4. Service connection for left hip osteoarthritis (left hip disability) is remanded. 5. Service connection for left knee arthritis is remanded. The Veteran is seeking service connection for disabilities of the neck, low back, right knee, left knee, and left hip. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his in-service duties as a tank crewman. Specifically, the Veteran believes the duties as a tank crewman placed undue strain on his knees, hip, neck, and back that has contributed to his current conditions. The Veteran was afforded VA examinations in May 2017 to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's neck, bilateral knee, left hip, and low back disabilities were unrelated to the Veteran's active service. The Board, however, finds the medical opinion to be inadequate for rating purposes. The VA examiner did not fully consider the Veteran's lay statements in providing their opinions. Moreover, since the May 2017 VA examination reports the Veteran provided testimony that would be germane to the etiology of his claimed disabilities. During his August 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran indicated that are VA, private, and Social Security Administration records that have not been associated with the claims file. As such, upon remand measures should be taken to associate any outstanding treatment records with the file. The Veteran also further presented his contention that his in-service tank duties contributed to his current disabilities. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain the Veteran's records from the Social Security Administration. Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file. 2. With any necessary assistance from the Veteran, obtain private treatment records regarding his claimed disabilities. 3. Obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records for the period from 1975 to the Present. 4. After the above development, obtain an opinion as to whether the Veteran's bilateral knee, neck, low back, and left hip disabilities are related to his active service. Whether an examination is needed prior to rendering this opinion is left to the discretion of the examiner. Regardless of whether an examination is performed, the examiner is to state: (a) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current neck disability is related to his active service, to include his duties as a tank crewman. (b) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active service, to include his duties as a tank crewman. (c) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current left disability is related to his active service, to include his duties as a tank crewman. (d) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his active service, to include his duties as a tank crewman. The examiner must specifically note and discuss the Veteran's lay statements of record regarding his duties as a tank crewman. Evan M. Deichert Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board J.R. Higgins 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.