Citation Nr: 18129341
Decision Date: 08/24/18	Archive Date: 08/24/18

DOCKET NO. 15-44 164
DATE:	August 24, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1983 to July 1999.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a July 2014 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Entitlement to service connection for arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis is remanded.
The Veteran underwent a VA examination in March 2014.  Although the examiner referenced the Veteran’s arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis, the examiner did not address whether his arthritis was related to service or his service-connected lumbar strain.  Therefore, the Board finds that the opinion provided is inadequate because it is incomplete.  Accordingly, the Board finds a new medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s arthritis.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain updated VA treatment records.  
2. After completing directive (1), the AOJ should return the claims file to the March 2014 VA examiner for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran’s arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis.  If the examiner is unavailable, the opinion should be rendered by another appropriate medical professional.  
The need for another examination is left to the discretion of the medical professional offering the addendum opinion.
Based on the record, the examiner should provide responses to the following:
(a.)  Is it at least as likely as not (a 50% or higher degree of probability) that the Veteran’s arthritis in the lumbar spine is related to service?
(b.) Is it at least as likely as not (a 50% or higher degree of probability) that the Veteran’s arthritis in the lumbar spine is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar strain? 
(c.) Is it at least as likely as not (a 50% or higher degree of probability) that the Veteran’s arthritis in the lumbar spine has been aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain?  Aggravation is an increase in severity beyond the natural progress of the disorder. 
 
Detailed reasons for all opinions should be provided.  If any of the requested opinions cannot be provided without resorting to speculation, the examiner should explain why it is not possible to provide an opinion.
 
JOHN Z. JONES
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Kass, Associate Counsel