Citation Nr: 20003902 Decision Date: 01/16/20 Archive Date: 01/15/20 DOCKET NO. 14-42 557 DATE: January 16, 2020 REMANDED Service connection for a low back disorder.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from May 1971 to May 1980. The case is on appeal from a November 2011 rating decision. In July 2017, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. Most recently, a January 2019 decision, the Board denied service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). Pursuant to a July 2019 joint motion for partial remand (JMPR), the Court vacated the Board’s decision by an August 2019 order and remanded the case to the Board. In the January 2019 decision, the Board also remanded a claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II, for the issuance of a statement of the case (SOC). In January 2020, the RO issued an SOC for that claim. A substantive appeal has not yet been received. Service connection for a low back disorder. The July 2019 JMPR indicated the October 2018 VA examination was inadequate. The parties agreed the examiner failed to apply medical analysis to the significant facts, did not provide a reasoned medical explanation connecting his conclusions to supporting data, and failed to address facts specific to the Veteran. The parties agree that a remand is necessary for VA to obtain a new examination or opinion with adequate supporting rationale. Thus, pursuant to the JMPR, a remand is necessary to obtain a VA opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the low back disorder. In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records from December 2019. 2. Thereafter, obtain an opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of the back disorder. The examiner is to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the low back disorder had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, service, to include the complaints and treatment related to back pain during service. The examiner should address the in-service low back treatment, as well as lay statements which support that the onset of the Veteran’s back disorder was his in-service treatment. A complete rationale or explanation should be provided for any opinions reached. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board B. Isaacs, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.