Citation Nr: 21011218 Decision Date: 03/01/21 Archive Date: 03/01/21 DOCKET NO. 11-31 230 DATE: March 1, 2021 REMANDED The issue of service connection for a right-hand disorder is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left-hand disorder is remanded. The issue of service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left foot disorder is remanded. The issue of service connection for a right lower extremity disorder, other than radiculopathy, is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left lower extremity disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served in the U.S. Navy from March 1971 to March 1975 and from December 1975 to March 1993. 1. The issue of service connection for a right-hand disorder is remanded. 2. The issue of service connection for a left-hand disorder is remanded. 3. The issue of service connection for a right foot disorder is remanded. 4. The issue of service connection for a left foot disorder is remanded. 5. The issue of service connection for a right lower extremity disorder, other than radiculopathy, is remanded. 6. The issue of service connection for a left lower extremity disorder is remanded. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. BACKGROUND FOR THE RO ADJUDICATOR: In August 2019, the Board remanded the issues on appeal for examinations. A January 2020 note indicates that the Veteran preferred to have the examination conducted at a different location and his examinations were canceled. February 2020 notes indicate that the Veteran did not appear for his examinations. The notes do not indicate the date on which the examinations were to be conducted and there is no indication in the record that the Veteran was ever notified that the examinations had been rescheduled. Therefore, remand is necessary to conduct the examinations. Letters notifying the Veteran of the time, date, and place of the examinations should be associated with the file. Most of the Veteran’s service personnel records (SPRs) are unreadable. Remand is necessary to determine whether the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam and/or in Southwest Asia. 2. Make a formal finding as to whether the Veteran had service in the Republic of Vietnam and/or Southwest Asia. 3. Schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of each identified right and/or left-hand disorder, each identified right and/or left foot disorder, and each identified right and/or left lower extremity disorder other than right lower extremity radiculopathy. All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail. All relevant medical records must be made available to the examiner for review of pertinent documents. The examination report should specifically state that such a review was conducted. The examiner must provide a comprehensive explanation for all opinions provided. The examiner should address the following: (a.) Whether each identified right-hand disorder was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (b.) Whether each identified left-hand disorder was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (c.) Whether each identified right foot disorder was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (d.) Whether each identified left foot disorder was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (e.) Whether each identified right lower extremity disorder other than radiculopathy was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (f.) Whether each identified left lower extremity disorder was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. (g.) Whether rheumatoid arthritis was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service. If the Veteran is found to have served in the Republic of Vietnam and/or Southwest Asia, any opinions relevant to that service should also be obtained. The examiner’s attention is drawn to the following: *July 1993 statement where the Veteran reported pains in his legs. *September 2005 VA treatment record in which the Veteran reported that he had right knee arthritis which began in 1996. VBMS Entry 4/2/2019, p. 221. *June 2006 VA treatment record where the Veteran reported that pain radiated down his right leg to his feet. VBMS Entry 10/24/2006, p. 2. *August 2009 statements from the Veteran and his spouse, step-daughter, and son-in-law in which they described pain in his lower extremities. *May 2010 notice of disagreement (NOD) and November 2011 VA Form 9 where the Veteran stated that he believed his feet, hands, and lower extremity disorders were caused by his in-service duties. *September 2011 and February 2015 VA treatment records where the Veteran reported pain and swelling in both hands and knees. VBMS Entry 9/13/2011, p. 1; VBMS Entry 11/23/2016, p. 21. *December 2013 VA treatment record indicating that the Veteran had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis prior to 2001. VBMS Entry 5/6/2019, p. 172. *March 2014 VA treatment record stating a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. VBMS Entry 11/23/2016, p. 33. *May 2016 VA treatment record stating that the Veteran had intermittent hand stiffness. VBMS Entry 11/23/2016, p. 2. *February 2017 statement from the Veteran’s friend and fellow servicemember. He described the Veteran’s in-service duties that could have contributed to hand, foot, and lower extremity disorders; his in-service health; and that he sees the Veteran regularly and his health had declined. *June 2017 VA treatment record stating that the Veteran had rheumatoid arthritis; had bilateral knee swelling and pain which he first began noticing in 1995; had nodes in his hands and fingers and crepitus in his knees; and that he had signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in both knees. VBMS Entry 11/13/2017, p. 22, 25, 28. 4. Readjudicate the issues on appeal. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board. Vito A. Clementi Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board J. E. Miller, 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.