Citation Nr: 21003142 Decision Date: 01/19/21 Archive Date: 01/19/21 DOCKET NO. 16-15 225 DATE: January 19, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis L3-4 and chronic thoracolumbar strain is remanded. Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 1, 2016, in excess of 20 percent from August 1, 2016, to March 15, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent from March 16, 2020, for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is remanded. Entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 16, 2020, and in excess of 10 percent from March 16, 2020, for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is remanded. Entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from September 2008 to February 2009 and from June 2011 to July 2011. These matters are before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from August 2013 and October 2015 rating decisions of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). A February 2017 rating decision increased the disability rating for the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from 10 percent to 20 percent, effective August 1, 2016, and granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and assigned a 20 percent disability rating effective August 1, 2016. A September 2020 rating decision increased the disability rating for the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve from 20 percent to 40 percent, effective March 16, 2020, and decreased the disability rating for the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective March 16, 2020. In May 2019, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned; a transcript of that hearing is of record. In September 2019, the Board remanded these matters for further evidentiary development. Entitlement to increased ratings for a lumbosacral spine disability, for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded. In August 2016, the Veteran completed an Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. The Veteran stated her back and right leg disability prevented her from securing gainful employment. The Veteran added that she received treatment from Dr. S.S. for these disabilities. It does not appear from the available evidence that any efforts have been made to obtain the records of treatment the Veteran may have received from Dr. S.S. Because such records, if obtained, might contain information bearing on the Veteran’s appeal, efforts should be made to procure them. See 38 U.S.C. § 5103A; 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c).   The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain and associate with the claims file VA treatment records from August 2020 to the present. 2. Contact the Veteran and afford her the opportunity to identify or submit any additional pertinent evidence in support of her claims, to include records from Dr. S.S. Based on the response received, attempt to procure copies of all records which have not previously been obtained from identified treatment sources. M. SORISIO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Patel, 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.