Citation Nr: 21024116 Decision Date: 04/22/21 Archive Date: 04/22/21 DOCKET NO. 17-54 134 DATE: April 22, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for lower lumbar degenerative disc/joint disease is remanded. Service connection for lumbar strain, resolved (claimed as residual of back injury) is remanded. Service connection for post-laminectomy syndrome is remanded. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The appellant served on active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the Army National Guard of Michigan from June 1971 to October 1971. He also had a period of ACDUTRA service on July 16, 1973. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2016 rating decision by a Regional Office (RO) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).   Service connection for lower lumbar degenerative disc/joint disease, a lumbar strain, and post-laminectomy syndrome is remanded. Service treatment records reflect that the appellant sustained a back injury in June 1971. A July 1973 Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status reflects that he sustained another back injury in July 1973 while in the line of duty. At a December 2020 Board hearing, the appellant testified that he has had continuous symptoms since the July 1973 injury. He submitted a June 2016 medical opinion from Dr. Morrison, who rendered an opinion that weighs in favor of the claim. However, the basis for the opinion is that the appellant was found to be suffering from degenerative lumbar disc disease when he was only 33 years old. Dr. Morrison cited an April 15, 1983 treatment report from the Arthritis Clinic at the University of Michigan. This treatment report is not in the claims file. The RO should request that the appellant complete an Authorization to Disclose Information (Form 21-2142) so that the RO can assist him in obtaining medical records from the University of Michigan Arthritis Clinic. Service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. The appellant contends that his right and left lower radiculopathy is secondary to his low back disability. As such, the claim is inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether service connection is warranted for lower lumbar degenerative disc/joint disease, a lumbar strain, and post-laminectomy syndrome. Adjudication is deferred at this time. (Continued on the next page)   The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Ask the appellant to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for the University of Michigan Arthritis Clinic. Make two requests for the authorized records unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. D. JOHNSON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Prem, 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.