Citation Nr: 21022083 Decision Date: 04/14/21 Archive Date: 04/14/21 DOCKET NO. 17-61 788 DATE: April 14, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for a left knee condition is remanded. Service connection for a right knee condition is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from December 1964 to October 1966. The Board has previously remanded these matters. Bilateral Knee Condition In its September 2018 Remand, the Board requested a VA examiner to opine regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral knee condition. The Board specifically directed the examiner to assume the Veteran did have in-service bilateral knee problems. The Board also stated that an examination opinion which stated that the Veteran’s service treatment records (STRs) are silent for knee problems would be considered inadequate. Thus, the examination that took place in January 2019, which stated that the Veteran’s STRs were silent for knee complaints, is inadequate for adjudication. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Obtain an opinion from a physician (M.D.) who has not previously examined the Veteran regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s bilateral knee disorder. The claims file should be made available to the examiner for review. If the VA examiner determines that an additional examination of the Veteran is necessary to provide reliable opinions, such examination should be scheduled; however, the Veteran should not be required to report for another examination as a matter of course, if it is not found to be necessary. The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was incurred in, or due to, the Veteran's service. The examiner is asked to assume that that the Veteran had in-service bilateral knee problems, and an opinion merely stating that the Veteran’s STRs are silent as to any complaints, treatments, or diagnoses for bilateral knee problems is not an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral knee disability is related to service. (Continued on the next page)   The Veteran’s lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptomology should be recorded and considered. A rationale for all opinions must be provided. L.M. YASUI Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Parrish, 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.