Citation Nr: 22018176 Decision Date: 03/28/22 Archive Date: 03/28/22 DOCKET NO. 17-27 697 DATE: March 28, 2022 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, to include scar residuals and osteoarthritis, is remanded. Entitlement to a rating of in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from October 1963 through October 1967. He served in the Republic of Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. The Veteran died in March 2015. The Veteran's surviving spouse has been substituted as the Appellant in this appeal. REASONS FOR REMAND 1. Entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, to include scar residuals and osteoarthritis, is remanded. The Appellant asserts that service connection for a recurrent left knee disability is warranted as the claimed disability was initially manifested during active service. The service personnel records indicate that the Veteran was wounded in action in February 1967. The Veteran was reported to have sustained a "punji stake wound, left leg, while engaged on action against hostile forces." In February 1967, the Veteran was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his wound. The report of an April 2013 knee examination conducted for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the Veteran was diagnosed with left knee osteoarthritis. The examiner did not note or otherwise address the documented in service left lower extremity wound and its relationship to diagnosed left knee osteoarthritis. The Board finds that the examination report is therefore of minimal probative value. VA's duty to assist includes, in appropriate cases, the duty to conduct a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination which is accurate and fully descriptive. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006); Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121, 124 (1991). When VA undertakes to obtain an evaluation, it must ensure that the evaluation is adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007). Further VA evaluation is needed. 2. Entitlement to a rating of in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded. A SSA Inquiry report states that the Veteran was in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. Documentation of the Veteran's SSA award of disability benefits and the evidence considered by the SSA in granting the Veteran's claim is not of record. VA's duty to assist the Veteran includes an obligation to obtain the records from the SSA. Masors v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 181, 187 188 (1992). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Contact the SSA and request that documentation of the Veteran's award of disability benefits and copies of all records developed in association with the decision. 2. Refer the Veteran's claims records to a VA physician. The examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the diagnosed left knee osteoarthritis was due to or caused by the documented in service February 1967 left lower extremity punji stick wound. J. T. HUTCHESON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. C. KING 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.