Citation Nr: 18150809
Decision Date: 11/15/18	Archive Date: 11/15/18

DOCKET NO. 16-03 398
DATE:	November 15, 2018
REMANDED
Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.
Service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.
Service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The appellant served in the Army Reserve from May 1979 to May 2013, with honorable active duty training (ADT) from May 1979 to November 1979. 
These matters come to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2013 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  
1. Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded.
2. Service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.
3. Service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

The appellant had a lengthy period of service in the Army Reserve from May 1979 to May 2013. Although efforts were made to obtain her service treatment records from her May 1979 to November 1979 period of active duty training, and service personnel records were obtained that span her period of Reserve service, no efforts were made to obtain treatment records and examination reports associated with her service after November 1979. This must be rectified on remand and is especially important given that a VA examiner has provided opinions against the claims based on the absence of evidence of continued treatment after a 1987 back injury and/or a 2008 knee injury, both which occurred during inactive duty training.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain complete copies of the appellant’s service treatment and personnel records from her May 1979 to May 2013 Army Reserve service. If no records can be found, indicate whether the records do not exist and whether further efforts to obtain the records would be futile. Document all efforts made in this regard. 
2. Readjudicate the claims after undertaking the development above and any additional development deemed necessary, to include obtaining addendum opinions if warranted by any additional evidence associated with the file. If the benefits sought          on appeal remain denied, the appellant and her representative should be furnished a supplemental 




statement of the case and be given an appropriate period to respond thereto before the case is returned to the Board, if in order.
 
K. A. BANFIELD
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	D. Van Wambeke, Counsel