Citation Nr: 21065383
Decision Date: 10/26/21	Archive Date: 10/26/21

DOCKET NO. 17-00 442
DATE: October 26, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine disability) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from January 1989 to October 1993, November 2009 to November 2011, and January 2015 to February 2015.

In July 2021, the Veteran provided testimony at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). A copy of the hearing transcript is associated with the claims file.

The Veteran contends his lumbar spine disability is worse than the disability rating currently assigned. 

The Veteran was last afforded a VA examination in September 2015 regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability. During the July 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that he has pain in his thoracic spine, as well as lumbar spine. Furthermore, the Veteran testified that when he rides his bike, his hands and arms are very susceptible to a pins and needle feeling. Finally, he said his lumbar spine disability increased in severity since his last VA examination. Therefore, the Board finds that a remand is warranted to afford the Veteran an opportunity to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

Since the Board is remanding the claims to obtain an updated VA examination, it will also request that updated VA treatment records be obtained.

The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain the outstanding VA treatment records beginning in December 2018.

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

 

 

A. P. SIMPSON

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	N. Griffin, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.