Citation Nr: 18132012
Decision Date: 09/05/18	Archive Date: 09/05/18

DOCKET NO. 16-03 594
DATE:	September 5, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, status post arthroscopic surgery, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 2008 to January 2012.
These matters are before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2014 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Reno, Nevada.
Entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain.
The Veteran last had a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected disabilities in October 2014.  In his August 2015 Notice of Disagreement, the Veteran wrote that his disabilities affected him more significantly than VA was aware of.  In his January 2016 VA Form 9, the Veteran wrote that pain radiated from his knee to his groin and from his lower back to his upper back.  He also noted that he had weakness in his knee and that it sometimes buckled.  As a result, a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature, extent, and severity of the Veteran’s service-connected back and left knee disabilities.  38 C.F.R. 3.159(c)(4).
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1. In accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(1), make efforts to obtain all VA and private treatment records concerning these claims.
2. Afford the Veteran a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his back and left knee strains.  The claims file must be reviewed by the examiner.  The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire(s) must be employed, and all opinions and conclusions must be supported by a rationale.
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. Abrams, Associate Counsel