Citation Nr: 21006581 Decision Date: 02/04/21 Archive Date: 02/04/21 DOCKET NO. 17-26 025 DATE: February 4, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for a neck disorder is remanded. Service connection for a left forearm disorder is remanded. Service connection for a right rib cage disorder is remanded. Service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded. Service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded. Service connection for plantar fasciitis is remanded. Service connection for GERD is remanded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 1991 to August 1992. This matter is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from March 2015 and November 2015 rating decisions. In March 2019, the Board denied the claims of service connection for a neck disorder, left forearm disorder, right rib cage disorder, right hip disorder, right foot disorder, plantar fasciitis, GERD, and diabetes mellitus. In that same decision, the Board remanded claims for service connection for a schizoaffective disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, among other claims. The Veteran appealed the denials to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), and, in July 2020, the Court set aside the March 2019 decision as to these eight issues and remanded the matter to the Board. The matter is currently before the Board for readjudication consistent with the terms of the Court’s memorandum decision. The Board finds that the Veteran’s claims must be remanded for further development. The Veteran contends that he has recurring symptoms of neck, left forearm, right rib, right hip, and right foot pain related to an in-service assault. Service treatment records show that the Veteran was treated for injuries in service following a wrestling incident. The Board thus finds the evidence is sufficient to trigger VA’s duty to provide an examination and a remand is necessary. Furthermore, he contends that treatment for his psychiatric disorders caused or aggravated his GERD. He also contends that his psychiatric disorders and medication resulted in weight gain which, in turn, caused his plantar fasciitis and diabetes mellitus. As the Board remanded the claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, these appeals are inextricably-intertwined and must be remanded until those claims have been readjudicated. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for examinations with an appropriate VA examiner to assess the nature and etiology of any current neck, left forearm, right rib, right hip, and right foot disorders. After a review of the claims file, the examiner should respond to the following: (a.) For each diagnosed disorder, is it at least as likely as not that the disorder was incurred in or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s active military service, to include the in-service wrestling injury? (b.) The examiner must provide a rationale for all opinions expressed. 2. Only complete the next instructions if service connection is granted for a mental health disability. 3. Forward the Veteran’s claims file to an appropriate VA examiner to assess the relationship between the service-connected mental health disability, to include medications, and GERD. An in-person examination is unnecessary unless the examiner determines otherwise. After a review of the claims file, the examiner should respond to the following: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s service-connected mental health disorder, to include medications, caused his GERD? (b.) If not, is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s service-connected mental health disorder, to include medications, has permanently aggravated his GERD? 4. Forward the Veteran’s claims file to an appropriate VA examiner to assess the relationship between the service-connected mental health disability and weight gain. After a review of the claims file, the examiner should respond to the following: Is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s service-connected mental health disability, to include medications, caused or aggravated his weight gain? Please address both theories of causation and aggravation. 5. If, and only if, the above opinion indicates that the mental health disability has caused or aggravated the Veteran’s weight gain, then, forward the Veteran’s claims file to an appropriate VA examiner to assess the relationship between that weight gain and plantar fasciitis. An in-person examination is unnecessary unless the examiner determines otherwise. After a review of the claims file, the examiner should respond to the following: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s weight gain was a substantial factor in causing the plantar fasciitis? (b.) If so, then is it at least as likely as not that the plantar fasciitis disorder would NOT have occurred but for the weight gain caused by the service-connected mental health disability? 6. If, and only if, the above opinion indicates that the mental health disability has caused or aggravated the Veteran’s weight gain, then, forward the Veteran’s claims file to an appropriate VA examiner to assess the relationship between that weight gain and diabetes mellitus. An in-person examination is unnecessary unless the examiner determines otherwise. After a review of the claims file, the examiner should respond to the following: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s weight gain was a substantial factor in causing diabetes mellitus? (b.) If so, then is it at least as likely as not that his diabetes mellitus would NOT have occurred but for the weight gain caused by the service-connected mental health disability? MICHELLE L. KANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Lavan, 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.