Citation Nr: 20052976 Decision Date: 08/10/20 Archive Date: 08/10/20 DOCKET NO. 16-15 156 DATE: August 10, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty with the United States Army from August 1974 to August 1977. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2013 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 1. Entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded. The Veteran claimed service connection for a back injury, which the Board acknowledges he previously reported occurred after service. However, the Veteran’s service treatment records reflect ongoing complaints of low back and buttock pain, including sciatic pain radiating down his legs. As the Veteran’s VA treatment records reflect current complaints of chronic low back pain radiating to his legs, the Board has characterized more generally the Veteran’s claim as one for a low back disability. See Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1, 5 (2009). As the Veteran has reported the same symptoms both in-service and during the pendency of this claim, there is an indication the current back disability might be related to service. Therefore, an examination is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the current back disability and the Veteran’s service. See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 83 (2006) (VA is obliged to provide an examination where there is insufficient information to decide the claim and there is an indication the current disability may be associated with service). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Forward the claims file to an appropriate clinician to determine whether the current low back disability is related to the Veteran’s military service. If the examiner determines that an additional in-person examination is required, one should be scheduled. Following review of the claims file and, if indicated, examination of the Veteran, the examiner should opine whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the low back disability began in or is otherwise caused by the Veteran’s active service. The examiner should specifically address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding back and buttock pain radiating to his legs during service. The examiner should address any other pertinent evidence of record, including the May 1976 service treatment record indicating radiating pain upon palpation of the sciatic nerve and the March 1987 private treatment record documenting low back pain with radiculopathy.   All findings must be reported in detail and all opinions must be accompanied by a clear rationale. If any of the above issues cannot be resolved without resorting to speculation, then a detailed medical explanation as to why this is so must be provided. M. HYLAND Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board K. Josey, Associate 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.