Citation Nr: 23057733 Decision Date: 10/24/23 Archive Date: 10/24/23 DOCKET NO. 17-52 163 DATE: October 24, 2023 REMANDED Service connection for a left popliteal nerve disability, claimed as left sensory motor polyneuropathy, is remanded. Service connection for anemia is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 1979 to December 1992. His service decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Left Popliteal Nerve Anemia In a January 2023 Board Remand, the Board requested that VA opinions be obtained regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left popliteal nerve disability and anemia. The requested opinions were obtained in February 2023 and an addendum opinion regarding anemia was also obtained in August 2023. These opinions, however, are not adequate and remand is necessary to obtain new examination opinions. Specifically, the VA examiner opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for a left popliteal nerve disability noted that the Veteran had not been diagnosed with a left popliteal nerve disability. However, a prior November 2020 VA peripheral nerve examination found that the Veteran had diagnosis of sensory motor polyneuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board also notes that the Veteran is service connected for peroneal nerve palsy with left foot drop pursuant to Diagnostic Code 8521, which addresses paralysis of the external popliteal nerve/common peroneal nerve. Thus, a new examination opinion which addresses the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed sensory motor polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and any symptoms separate from his service connected left popliteal nerve disability is warranted. As for the Veteran's anemia, the February 2023 examiner stated that there had been no medical rationale correlating the Veteran's service connected disabilities to his anemia. In the August 2023 addendum, the examiner again noted that though there is documentation of the Veteran's anemia, there was no documentation of a nexus between the condition and his service connected disabilities, thus it would be speculation to opine as to the cause of the Veteran's anemia. The Board notes that it has requested that an examination opinion be obtained to provide the nexus opinion as to the etiology of the Veteran's anemia and the examiner's task was to make such a determination. As such, a new examination opinion is warranted. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum opinion from a neurologist (M.D.) regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed sensory motor polyneuropathy has symptoms which are separate and distinct from the Veteran's service connected peroneal nerve palsy with left foot drop or if the Veteran has any other diagnosed left popliteal nerve disability. If so, the examiner is asked to opine whether the Veteran's sensory motor polyneuropathy or any other left popliteal nerve disability is related to or otherwise proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected trochanteric bursitis of the left hip, status hip replacement; chondromalacia of the left knee, and/or; degenerative joint disease with scoliosis of the lumbosacral spine. The examiner should note the Veteran has already been granted service connection for left peroneal nerve palsy, with left foot drop and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran need not be scheduled for personal examination unless such examination is considered necessary by the examiner. The claims file must be provided the examiner for review. 2. Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's anemia is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected trochanteric bursitis of the left hip, status hip replacement. The Veteran need not be scheduled for personal examination unless such examination is considered necessary by the examiner. The claims file must be provided the examiner for review. The examiner must address the Veteran's assertion that his anemia results from his 2013 total hip replacement surgery. John R. Doolittle, II Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Parrish 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.