Citation Nr: 21029485 Decision Date: 05/13/21 Archive Date: 05/13/21 DOCKET NO. 17-12 595 DATE: May 13, 2021 REMANDED The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability is remanded. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is remanded. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for a left hip disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for a right hip disability is remanded. The claim for service connection for a left thumb disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the Air Force from October 1972 to July 1975 and in the Navy from March 1979 to April 1992. Increased Rating Left Ankle and Knees At his March 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that his service connected left ankle and bilateral knee conditions had become worse since his most recent VA knee and ankle examinations in May 2014. Specifically, he stated that he could no longer climb ladders or stairs and his right knee would go out. Accordingly, further development is warranted to assess the current severity of his knee and left ankle conditions. Of note, the Board notes that VA treatment records for certain periods of time have not been associated with the Veteran's file. Service Connection Hips The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hip conditions, which he believed were related to his service. At his March 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he was active and athletic in service and was seen for a thigh/muscle problem after a five-mile run on hilly terrain. He also reported that climbing on ladders on a ship was problematic. He also claimed that his bilateral hip conditions were related to his service connected bilateral knee and left ankle problems. Service treatment records (STRs) show that the Veteran sought treatment in November 1990 for left thigh muscle strain after jogging for five miles on hilly terrain. X-rays on the left hip at that time showed normal results. A separation physical conducted in June 1975 (at the end of his first period of service) showed that the Veteran was involved in a motor vehicle accident prior to service in 1967, causing cracked right pelvis and chipped left hip. However, the enlistment physical conducted in August 1972 (prior to the first period of service) did not note any hip conditions. Accordingly, further development is warranted to assess the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip conditions. Service Connection Left Thumb The Veteran is seeking service connection for his left thumb condition, which he believes is the result of his service. At his March 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he had problems with his hands in service, include his left thumb, and that his military specialty was computer systems specialist. Personnel records (DD214) show that the Veteran was aircraft maintenance specialist in the Air Force and computer systems specialist in the Navy. STRs show that the Veteran sought treatment for his hands during service. Accordingly, further development is warranted to assess the etiology of the Veteran's left thumb condition. Therefore, matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain VA treatment records (if any) from September 2004 to March 2012, from April 2014 to August 2014, and from February 2017 to March 2019 from VA facilities in Portland, Salem, and Bend, Oregon. 2. Schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee disabilities. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA hip examination. The examiner should diagnosis and current hip disability, and answer the flowing questions: (a) Does the evidence clearly and unmistakably show that the Veteran's current hip condition existed prior to his service? Why or Why not? In so doing, the examiner should take notice of the fact that the Veteran was involved in a motor vehicle accident prior to service in 1967, causing cracked right pelvis and chipped left hip. (b) If the answer to question (a) is yes, does the evidence clearly and unmistakably show that the hip condition was not aggravated (made worse) beyond its natural progression by his service? Why or why not? (c) If the answer to question (a) is no, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's hip condition either began during or was otherwise caused by his military service, to include running on hilly terrain and climbing up and down stairs on a ship? Why or why not? (d) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's hip condition was caused by his service connected bilateral knee and/or left ankle conditions? Why or why not? (e) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's hip condition was aggravated (made worse) by his service connected bilateral knee and/or left ankle conditions? Why or why not? "Aggravation" in the context of secondary service connection means any degree of worsening, it does not have to be worse beyond the nature progression of the condition. 4. Schedule the Veteran for a VA hand examination. The examiner should identify any left thumb disability, and answer the flowing questions: (a) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's left thumb condition either began during or was otherwise caused by his military service, to include from the use of his hand to perform computer-related job duties in service? Why or why not? MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Q. Wang, Associate 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.