Citation Nr: 21007290 Decision Date: 02/09/21 Archive Date: 02/09/21 DOCKET NO. 14-31 808A DATE: February 9, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for a right hip disorder. Service connection for a left hip disorder.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1982 to October 1985. The case is on appeal from an August 2009 rating decision. In August 2015, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. In June 2019, the Board denied the two service connection claims. The Veteran appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). In June 2020, the Court issued a Memorandum Decision which vacated the June 2019 Board decision and remanded the matters back to the Board. 1. Service connection for a right hip disorder. 2. Service connection for a left hip disorder. The Veteran contends that his right and left hip disorders had their onset during service or are otherwise directly related. In the June 2020 Memorandum Decision, the Court indicated the Board’s explanation and reliance in its decision on a June 2018 VA examination is inadequate, as the examiner did not address all the evidence favorable to the Veteran. The Court specifically stated the Board acknowledged the Veteran’s report of swollen or painful joints at his September 1985 separation, as well as his post-service December 1985 claim for benefits and the January 1986 VA examination. However, the Court found the Board failed to reconcile that evidence with the conclusions offered by the June 2018 VA examiner. Per the reasoning in the Memorandum Decision, the Board finds that a remand is warranted to obtain a VA opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s hip disorders, including whether such are related to service. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain a VA opinion from a qualified medical professional to determine the nature and etiology of the bilateral hip disorders. The examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the right and left hip disorders had their onset during, or are otherwise related to, service, to include the duties related to the Veteran’s military occupational specialty (MOS) of infantryman. The examiner must address the Veteran’s in-service and post-service hip complaints and treatment. The examiner must specifically review and discuss the Veteran’s report of swollen or painful joints at his September 1985 separation; his post-service December 1985 claim of service connection for arthritis of the hips; and the January 1986 VA examination report in which he reported experiencing aching pain in his hips after prolonged activity, popping and grinding sensations, and pain on internal rotation of the left hip. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board B. Isaacs, 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.