Citation Nr: 22015152 Decision Date: 03/16/22 Archive Date: 03/16/22 DOCKET NO. 15-15 697 DATE: March 16, 2022 REMANDED The issue of service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left foot disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served in the United States Army from October 1969 to August 1971. He served in the Republic of Vietnam. 1. The issue of service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded. 2. The issue of service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. 3. The issue of service connection for a left foot disability is remanded. 4. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded. 5. The issue of service connection for a right knee disability is remanded. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Background for the RO adjudicator: In March 2021, the Board remanded this appeal to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions. The October 2021 VA examinations and medical opinions are inadequate, and remand is again necessary. The examiner failed to discuss the Veteran's lay statements about the in service cause of his disorders. Additionally, the examiner stated that the Veteran did not have a right or left ankle disability, despite a September 2011 diagnosis of a bilateral ankle strain. Furthermore, a diagnosed disorder is not necessary for a grant of service connection and an opinion based solely on a lack of diagnosis, which does not discuss whether the Veteran had pain which caused functional impairment, is inadequate. See Saunders v. Wilkie, 886 F.3d 1356 (Fed. Cir. 2018). 2. Schedule the Veteran for VA examinations WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICIAN to obtain an opinion as to the cause of each identified left and right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and left and right knee disorder. 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.) Identify each of the following which the Veteran currently has or has had since he first filed his claim of service connection: i. All right ankle disorders. ii. All left ankle disorders. iii. All left foot disorders. iv. All right knee disorders. v. All left knee disorders. vi. Any pain which causes functional impairment of the right or left ankle, left foot, or right or left knee, but does not result in a diagnosed disorder. (b.) Whether each of the following was caused by any in-service event, injury, disease, or disorder, or in any way originated during service: i. Each identified right ankle disorder. ii. Each identified left ankle disorder. iii. Each identified left foot disorder. iv. Each identified right knee disorder. v. Each identified left knee disorder. vi. Pain in the right ankle, left ankle, left foot, right knee, or left knee which causes functional impairment but does not result in a diagnosed disorder. In providing these opinions, the examiner MUST discuss the Veteran's in-service duties as a helicopter repairmen and jumping out of helicopters and gunships, and their impact on his ankles, knees, and left foot. If the examiner concludes that a disorder was not caused by or originated in service, the examiner must discuss the articles described in the February 2022 informal hearing presentation (IHP) and why they do not support that the particular disorder began in service. Jacqueline E. Miller Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board R. Husain, 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.