Citation Nr: 18149032 Decision Date: 11/08/18 Archive Date: 11/08/18 DOCKET NO. 16-38 887 DATE: November 8, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from July 1970 to November 1990. 1. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 2. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 3. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. 4. Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. A statement of the case (SOC) was issued in July 2016. Subsequent to the SOC and prior to when the case was transferred to the Board in May 2018, additional VA treatment records were associated with the claims file without issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). Therefore, under applicable VA regulations, the claim must be remanded for issuance of an SSOC. See 38 C.F.R. § 19.37(a). The Veteran also had an examination arranged by VA for peripheral neuropathy in November 2014 at which he reported needing a rolling walker due to weakness and numbness. There was severe pain, moderate numbness, decreased muscle strength, and decreased sensation in all extremities, and decreased deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities. August 2016 VA treatment records indicate that the Veteran had intermittent foot drop. At December 2016 VA treatment the Veteran said that his right foot got caught under him. The August 2016 and December 2016 VA treatment records indicate that the lower extremity peripheral neuropathy may have worsened since the November 2014 examination. As such, VA is required to afford the Veteran a contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of this disability. See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997). Regarding the upper extremities, the Board notes that it has been four years since the last examination. In light of the state of the record, the Board finds that the Veteran must be afforded a contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of these disabilities. See Stefl v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 120, 125 (2007) (an adequate VA medical examination must consider the Veteran’s pertinent medical history). VA treatment records to February 2017 have been associated with the claims file. The RO should attempt to obtain all relevant VA treatment records dated from February 2017 to the present, while the claim is in remand status. Bell v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 611 (1992). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records from February 2017 to the present. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The entire claims file must be made available to and reviewed by the examiner. All appropriate tests and studies should be conducted and the results reported. The VA examiner must address the extent of functional and industrial impairment due to the Veteran’s service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and furnish a full description of the effects of the service-connected disability upon the Veteran’s ordinary activity, including employment. All opinions must be supported by a complete rationale. 3. Then readjudicate the Veteran’s claims for increased evaluations for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, based on all evidence received since the July 2016 statement of the case. If the benefits sought on appeal are not granted in full, issue the Veteran and his representative a supplemental statement of the case and provide the Veteran an opportunity to respond. Michael J. Skaltsounis Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Scott Shoreman, Counsel