Citation Nr: 18141968 Decision Date: 10/12/18 Archive Date: 10/12/18 DOCKET NO. 14-25 520 DATE: October 12, 2018 REMANDED The issue of a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 16, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent on and after September 16, 2014, for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from August 1998 to June 2006. This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2012 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office. In March 2016, the Veteran was afforded a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. The hearing transcript is of record. The issues of a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease strain; a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 16, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent on and after September 16, 2014, for right lower extremity radiculopathy; and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. The report of a May 2018 VA spine examination conveys that: “Veteran has had an epidural injection to try and manage his pain which he states it did not help him at all;” “Veteran has a TENS unit as well as at-home traction;” and “see PCP note dated 3/8/18 for further details.” The cited clinical documentation is not of record. Clinical treatment records dated after September 26, 2017, are not of record. VA should obtain all relevant VA and private treatment records which could potentially be helpful in resolving the Veteran’s claims. Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 78 (1990); Bell v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 611 (1992). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for each private healthcare provider who has treated him for the service connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities. Make two requests for the authorized records from all identified healthcare providers unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE) 2. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records dated after September 26, 2017, including the cited “PCP note dated 3/8/18.” BARBARA B. COPELAND Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. T. Hutcheson, Counsel