Citation Nr: 22017265 Decision Date: 03/24/22 Archive Date: 03/24/22 DOCKET NO. 20-08 488 DATE: March 24, 2022 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for sciatica and/or neuropathy of the left lower extremity to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture and left knee strain is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for sciatica and/or neuropathy of the right lower extremity to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture and left knee strain is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from January 1966 to January 1968 and from January 1975 to October 1982. These matters come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2018 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Regional Office (RO). Within one year of that decision, the Veteran was provided with a VA examination as to this claim, and as a result, even though the claims were again denied in August 2019, the rating decision on appeal is the October 2018 rating action. 1. Entitlement to service connection for sciatica and/or neuropathy of the left lower extremity to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture and left knee strain is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for sciatica and/or neuropathy of the right lower extremity to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture and left knee strain is remanded. In this case, the Veteran seeks service connection for sciatica of the left and right lower extremities to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle fracture and left knee strain. To begin, the Veteran is currently diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and is being treated with medication, to include Gabapentin, to help with his symptoms. In addition, the Veteran is currently service connected for a left ankle and knee disability. The Veteran claims his sciatica may be secondary to his service-connected disability. However, while the Veteran was provided with a VA examination in June 2019, at which time the examiner concluded that the Veteran did not exhibit radiculopathy and that his peripheral neuropathy in his feet was related to nonservice-connected diabetes, the examiner did not offer an opinion as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities. VA is obligated to provide an examination or obtain a medical opinion in a claim of service connection when the record contains competent evidence that the claimant has a current disability or signs and symptoms of a current disability, the record indicates that the disability or signs and symptoms of disability may be associated with active service or service-connected disability, and the record does not contain sufficient information to make a decision on the claim. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). The threshold for finding a link between current disability and service is low. McLendon, 20 Vet. App. at 83. Given the Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, his currently service-connected left ankle and knee disability, and the lack of a complete contemporaneous VA examination, the Board finds the McLendon elements to be met. As such, further VA examination is necessary. In light of the above, the Board finds the issues of entitlement to service connection for sciatica of the left and right lower extremities should be remanded in order to provide the Veteran with a more complete VA examination and etiological opinion. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination by an examiner other than the June 2019 VA examiner to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sciatica and/or neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. In this regard, the examiner must provide an opinion regarding the following: (a.) Whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the Veteran's sciatica and/or neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, was caused by or related to his active-duty service. (b.) In the alternative, the examiner is asked to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran's sciatica of the left and right lower extremities is proximately due to or aggravated by his left ankle and knee disability. More specifically, the examiner is asked to opine as to whether the Veteran's sciatica of the left and right lower extremities is aggravated, i.e., worsened beyond its natural progression, by his left ankle and knee disability. 2. Thereafter, the AOJ must readjudicate the Veteran's appealed issues in light of the totality of evidence of record. If any benefit sought is not granted to the fullest extent, the AOJ must provide the Veteran and his private attorney with a copy of the readjudication and afford them an appropriate period to respond. Michael J. Skaltsounis Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board C. DeBoer, 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.