Citation Nr: 21041752 Decision Date: 07/10/21 Archive Date: 07/10/21 DOCKET NO. 16-58 454A DATE: July 10, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable rating for a laceration scar on the lower left leg. Entitlement to service connection for left knee arthritis. Entitlement to service connection for right knee arthritis. Entitlement to service connection for a back disability. Entitlement to service connection for a skin disease of the face. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from December 1977 to December 1980, including a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from September 2014 and February 2017 rating decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). These matters were previously before the Board in February 2017 when it was remanded for additional development. The claims were last before the Board in December 2018 when, in part, they were remanded for additional development. 1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for a laceration scar on the lower left leg. 2. Entitlement to service connection for left knee arthritis. 3. Entitlement to service connection for right knee arthritis. 4. Entitlement to service connection for a back disability. 5. Entitlement to service connection for a skin disease of the face. Initially, the Board notes that in a November 2017 VA Form 9, the Veteran indicated that he had been in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits since early 2013. However, complete SSA records do not currently appear to be associated with the claims file. Thus, because the Veteran's SSA records could potentially be relevant to his claims on appeal, such records should be requested and associated with the claims file on remand. See Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2010). Additionally, the Board's December 2018 remand included instructions to provide the Veteran VA examinations and medical opinions for the claims on appeal. Upon review, the Board finds these medical opinions conclusory and inadequate, as none provided a well-reasoned rationale in support of the opinions proffered. Consequently, the Board finds remand is also necessary for new VA examinations and medical opinions that consider all of the evidence of record, including service treatment records and any lay assertions or relevant SSA records. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. 2. Secure for the record copies of the complete SSA records pertaining to the Veteran, to include all medical records considered in any determination on a claim for SSA disability benefits. If such records are unavailable, it must be so certified for the record (with an explanation of the reason why they are unavailable). 3. After completion of the above development, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination (or telehealth interview, records request, etc. if an in-person examination is not feasible) to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee arthritis, back disability, and facial skin disease. All indicated tests should be conducted, and the reports of any such studies incorporated into the examination reports to be associated with the claims file. Following a review of the claims, the examiner is asked to provide an opinion addressing the following: (a) Whether it is at least as likely as that the Veteran's left knee and/or right knee arthritis, back disability, or facial skin disease are related to his service, including his in-service treatment for back pain and pseudofolliculitis barbae? (b) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and/or back disability are proximately due to his service-connected laceration scar on the lower left leg. (c) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and/or back disability have been aggravated (worsened beyond natural progression) by his service-connected laceration scar on the lower left leg. A complete rationale should be given for all opinions and conclusions expressed. If unable to provide a medical opinion, provide a statement as to whether there is any additional evidence that could enable an opinion to be provided, or whether the inability to provide the opinion is based on the limits of medical knowledge. Please note that it is not necessary that the service-connected laceration scar on the lower left leg be diagnosed or even service-connected at the time the right knee, left knee, and/or back disability/functional impairment is incurred to establish service connection, and reliance on this fact will render any secondary opinion inadequate 4. Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination (or telehealth interview, records request, etc. if an in-person examination is not feasible) to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected laceration scar on the left lower leg. All pertinent evidence of record should be reviewed by the examiner. Any indicated studies should be performed. Jarrette A. Marley Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Becton, 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.