Citation Nr: 18153938
Decision Date: 11/29/18	Archive Date: 11/28/18

DOCKET NO. 16-58 138
DATE:	November 29, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from March 1975 to August 1978 and from March 1983 to April 2005.
Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis is remanded
The Veteran had an examination arranged through VA in June 2016.  The sensory examination was found to reveal normal findings, and there was no radiculopathy on examination.  However, the Veteran wrote in August 2016 that he had pain in his sciatic area, and that after standing for three to five minutes, his left thigh muscles went into spasm and became so painful and tense that he had to sit down.  Standing for any length of time caused pain and tightening to the left thigh.  In November 2016 the Veteran wrote that he got severe pain in his left low back, left thigh, left groin, and calf.
The Veteran’s statements indicate that there is symptomatology related to the lumbar spine disability that was not reflected in the June 2016 examination report and/or that the condition has worsened since the examination.  Therefore, the Veteran must be scheduled for a new examination before the claim can be decided on the merits to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of this disability.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and any associated symptomatology, including radiculopathy.  The entire claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner.  All appropriate tests and studies should be conducted, and the results reported.
The VA examiner must address the extent of functional and industrial impairment due to the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability and furnish a full description of the effects of the service-connected disability upon the Veteran’s ordinary activity, including employment.  All opinions must be supported by a complete rationale.
 
Michael J. Skaltsounis
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Scott Shoreman, Counsel