Citation Nr: 18152211 Decision Date: 11/21/18 Archive Date: 11/21/18 DOCKET NO. 15-46 653 DATE: November 21, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded. The Veteran served on active duty from June 1968 to February 1970. In his February 2013 notice of disagreement, the Veteran asserted that the his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD disabilities have increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA in October 2012 and November 2012, respectively. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss and PTSD disabilities. Evidence indicates that there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records. A December 2015 statement of the case (SOC) relates that it reviewed records from the Texas Valley Coastal VA Medical Center from September 2014 to March 2015. Such treatment records have not been associated with the record before the Board. Any VA treatment records are within VA’s constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issues on appeal, to include whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy during the period on appeal. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain them. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the names and addresses of all medical care providers who treated the Veteran for any neuropathy complaints since service, and who treated the Veteran for his bilateral hearing loss or PTSD since July 2010. After securing the necessary release, take all appropriate action to obtain these records, including copies of outstanding VA treatment records at the Texas Valley Coastal VA Medical Center from September 2014 to March 2015. 2. After completing the above, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria. To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to his bilateral hearing loss alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living. If it is not possible to provide a specific measurement without speculation, the examiner must state whether the need to speculate is due to a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (no one could respond given medical science and the known facts), a deficiency in the record (additional facts are required), or the examiner (does not have the knowledge or training). 3. After the completion of (1), schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD. The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria. The examiner must attempt to elicit information regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms. To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and social and occupational impairment due to his PTSD alone. 4. After the above development, and any additionally indicated development, has been completed, readjudicate the issues on appeal, including the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all extremities. M.E. Larkin Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD Eric Struening, Associate Counsel