Citation Nr: 18148800
Decision Date: 11/08/18	Archive Date: 11/08/18

DOCKET NO. 15-14 415A
DATE:	November 8, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of service connection for a bilateral hip disorder is remanded.
The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded.
The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served in the U.S. Army from September 1983 to June 1991.
1. The issue of service connection for a bilateral hip disorder is remanded.
2. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded.
3. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded.
The record indicates that the Veteran is in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. The evidence considered by the SSA in granting the Veteran’s claim is not of record. The Veteran asserts he is rated 40 percent disabled for these claimed disabilities. Therefore, remand is necessary as the records appear to be relevant. Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2010).  
The Veteran was provided a contracted VA examination in March 2011. However, no medical opinion was provided. Remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Contact the SSA and request that it provide documentation of the Veteran’s determination of disability benefits and copies of all records developed in association with the decision for incorporation into the record.  
2. Obtain a medical opinion as to the nature and etiology of bilateral hip, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders. If deemed necessary, schedule an in-person examination. 
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 whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or higher probability) that any of the following were caused by any in-service event, disease, disorder, or injury, or in any way originated during service:
(a.) A right hip disorder.
(b.) A left hip disorder.
(c.) A cervical spine disorder.
(d.) A lumbar spine disorder.
Although the Veteran has reported a pre-service hip injury, he is legally presumed sound. Therefore, the examiner should assume that the Veteran had no hip disorder on service entrance.
 
LAURA E. COLLINS
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. E. Miller, Associate Counsel