Citation Nr: 18141056 Decision Date: 10/09/18 Archive Date: 10/09/18 DOCKET NO. 15-25 837 DATE: October 9, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist is remanded. Entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and degenerative joint disease, currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 2, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for a right knee scar is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve is remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from February 1987 to February 2010. These matters are before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). 1. Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded. 4. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist is remanded. 5. Entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and degenerative joint disease, currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 2, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter is remanded. 6. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded. 7. Entitlement to a compensable rating for a right knee scar is remanded. 8. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve is remanded. 9. Entitlement to an increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 2, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter is remanded. 10. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded. The evidence indicates there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records. A June 30, 2017 VA treatment record indicates that the Veteran was to return for follow up appointment in December 2017. VA treatment records subsequent to June 30, 2017 have not been associated with the claims file. Additionally, VA treatment records from November 27, 2013, December 3, 2013, and December 2, 2013 indicate that a November 27, 2013 treatment record from Killen Medical Center and unidentified non-VA treatment records from November 5, 2013 and November 8, 2013 had been scanned into VistA Imaging. It does not appear that these records have been associated with the claims file. A remand to obtain the aforementioned records is required. The record also indicates that there are outstanding private treatment records. VA treatment records indicate that the Veteran received private treatment from Dr.Kadhim, Integrity Rehab Center, Austin Pain Clinic, Darnell, Austin Spine Clinic, Metroplex, Killen Medical Center, Dr.Burges, and through TRICARE. To date, these records have not been requested or otherwise obtained. On remand, reasonable efforts should be made to obtain them. Concerning the Veteran’s peripheral neuropathy service connection claims, subsequent to the April 2014 VA examination, VA treatment records note that the Veteran’s report that he had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy by an outside provider. Accordingly, another VA examination is warranted to determine whether the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy, and if so, whether it is related to service. The Veteran’s last VA examination assessing the severity of his ganglion cyst of the right wrist was in January 2014. Given the passage of time and the fact that the Board must remand the claims for other development, on remand the Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of the ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Ask the Veteran to provide the names and addresses of all medical care providers who have recently treated him for his claimed disabilities, including Dr.Kadhim, Integrity Rehab Center, Austin Pain Clinic, Darnell, Austin Spine Clinic, Metroplex, Killen Medical Center, Dr.Burges, and via TRICARE. After securing any necessary releases, request any relevant records identified. In addition, obtain updated VA treatment records dated since June 30, 2017 as well as the VistA Imaging records referenced in the November 27, 2013, December 3, 2013, and December 2, 2013 VA treatment records. If any requested records are unavailable, the Veteran should be notified of such. 2. After records development is completed, the Veteran should be afforded a VA peripheral nerve examination to determine the nature of any right upper and/or right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and to obtain an opinion as to whether such is possibly related to service. The claims file should be reviewed by the examiner in conjunction with the examination. All necessary tests should be conducted and the results reported. Following review of the claims file and examination of the Veteran, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and/or right lower extremity arose during service or is otherwise related to service. A rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA wrist examination to determine the current severity of his ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The claims file should be reviewed by the examiner. All necessary tests should be performed and the results reported. All symptomatology associated with the ganglion cyst of the right wrist should be reported. K. A. BANFIELD Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD J. Anderson