Citation Nr: 21064555 Decision Date: 10/20/21 Archive Date: 10/20/21 DOCKET NO. 16-03 124 DATE: October 20, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for sciatic nerve disability is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty in the Army from August 1977 to April 1992. In August 2018, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a Board hearing. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Board remanded this matter in April 2019 and June 2021 for additional development and readjudication. Unfortunately, the Board finds that another remand is necessary as there has not been substantial compliance with the Board's prior remand directive. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). Entitlement to service connection for sciatic nerve disability is remanded. The Board previously remanded this issue in order to afford the Veteran a separate VA nerve examination to determine whether the Veteran has a lower extremity nerve disability separate and apart from his low back disability, which is related to the falls during active service. The Board had found that a November 2015 VA examination for the low back was inadequate as the examiner's rationale was lacking in explanation as to whether the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of sciatica was unrelated to the current diagnosis of bilateral radiculopathy. Unfortunately, on remand, the Veteran was afforded another low back examination as opposed to a separate nerve examination as requested. Moreover, the examiner provided an opinion finding that the Veteran's low back disability with associated radiculopathy was not related to service. However, again, an opinion was requested as to whether the Veteran had a nerve disability separate and apart from his low back disability that was related to service. Considering the above, a remand is required in order to comply with the prior Board remand directive and afford the Veteran an adequate separate nerve examination. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a VA nerve examination for his claimed sciatic nerve disability. The examiner must review the claims file. The examiner must determine whether the Veteran has a nerve disability of the lower extremities that is separate and apart from his low back disability with associated radiculopathy. Explain why or why not. If the examiner finds that the Veteran does have a separate, distinct nerve disability, the examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not that it (1) began during active service, (2) manifested within a year after discharge from service, (3) was noted during service with continuity of the same symptomatology since service, or (4) related to service, including his in-service falls and diagnosis of sciatica. Provide a rationale to support any opinions proffered. In providing the requested opinion, the examiner must consider the Veteran's description of his in-service injuries and symptoms as well as post-service symptoms. L. M. BARNARD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board J.N. Moats 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.