Citation Nr: 21030862 Decision Date: 05/19/21 Archive Date: 05/19/21 DOCKET NO. 15-41 147 DATE: May 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder, to include as secondary to a left hip disability, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from April 1971 to April 1975. In November 2018 and November 2020, the Board remanded the claim for additional development. It is valuable to note for the record that the Veteran is in receipt of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and is receiving a 100 percent disability evaluation. Entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded. The Veteran seeks service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to the service-connected left hip disability. In October 2019, following an examination of the Veteran, a VA examiner reported that there was no diagnosis for a right hip condition due to lack of pathology. The examiner noted that imaging studies of the hip failed to show degenerative or traumatic arthritis. However, as was previously noted by the Board in November 2018 and November 2020, VA treatment records show that June 2012 imaging studies of the hip/s revealed mild femoral head spurring with relative joint space preservation and stable post traumatic changes in the left hip, and in July 2012 a VA clinician provided a letter stating that x-rays showed some arthritic changes to the right hip. In November 2020, the Board remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability for an addendum opinion report to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed right hip disability. The Board specifically asked the VA examiner to address any contradictory medical opinion or diagnoses of record and support any opinions with a complete rationale. Pursuant to the Board remand directives, a VA medical opinion was obtained in February 2021. The examiner, however, reiterated the October 2019 VA examination findings that the evidence failed to show a right hip joint condition and opined that the condition was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by a service connected disability. The examiner failed to acknowledge or address the July 2012 letter from a VA clinician noting that x-rays showed right hip arthritic changes and no rationale in support of the opinions was provided. As the VA examiner failed to address the questions posed by the Board, remand for an addendum opinion report is necessary to clarify the situation. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007); Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request the Veteran to identify all medical providers (VA and private) from whom he has received treatment for the right hip, and complete and return an appropriate authorization form for each treatment provider identified (if any). After obtaining the completed release forms, request all identified pertinent medical records (if any). If possible, the Veteran should get these records and submit them himself to expedite the case (if any). 2. Forward the record and a copy of this remand an appropriate VA examiner for completion of an addendum opinion. If the examiner determines that another in-person examination of the Veteran is required to provide the below-requested information, then such an examination should be scheduled. The examiner is asked to review the claims file and provide the following information: a. State whether the criteria for a diagnosis of a right hip disability is met. Please explain why or why not. If no disability is found, the examiner is specifically asked to explain the conflict between this finding and the Veteran's June 2012 imaging studies of the hip/s and the July 2012 letter from a VA clinician noting that x-rays showed some arthritic changes to the right hip. b. Determine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any right hip disability was caused or aggravated by a service connected disability, to include the left hip disability. Please explain why or why not. In providing the above opinions, the examiner should be mindful that even if the previously diagnosed right hip condition resolved, an opinion is still required regarding the etiology of the diagnosed disability. See McClain v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 319 (2007). (Continued on the next page) All opinions expressed must be accompanied by a complete rationale. John J. Crowley Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Azizi, T. 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.