Citation Nr: 18155640 Decision Date: 12/04/18 Archive Date: 12/04/18 DOCKET NO. 16-62 635 DATE: December 4, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for left lower extremity varicose veins is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1985 to June 1985, and from June 1989 to July 1992. In January 2017, correspondence was received from the Veteran indicating that he wished to withdraw his request for a hearing. Entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for left lower extremity varicose veins is remanded. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to final adjudication of the issue on appeal. Specifically, the Board finds that a new VA examination is needed. The Veteran states that he has edema with constant pain, for which he has been prescribed compression stockings and 800 Ibuprofen. See VA Form 9, November 2016. He further described pain after being on his legs for four hours or more. Id. VA treatment records reflect that the Veteran has compression stockings and that he has been instructed to elevate his legs. He has also been prescribed Ibuprofen. The Veteran was afforded a VA examination in November 2015. However, the examiner did not note the Veteran’s use of compression stockings, his need to elevate his legs, nor his medication. Further, the examiner did not note edema, either intermittent or persistent, nor aching and fatigue after prolonged standing or walking. In his December 2015, notice of disagreement (NOD), the Veteran stated that his records had not been forwarded to the examiner, and the Board acknowledges that there is no indication in the examination report that his records were reviewed. Further, the Board notes that the October 2014 VA examination, which did report review of the claim file, indicates that the Veteran suffers from aching and fatigue in his legs after prolonged standing and walking, and that his symptoms are relieved by elevation and compression hosiery. The October 2014 examiner also noted persistent edema in both legs. Once VA undertakes to provide a VA examination, it must be adequate. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 312 (2007). Because of the inadequacies in the November 2015 VA examination, the Board finds that a new examination must be provided. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. After securing any necessary consent forms from the Veteran, obtain any outstanding treatment records, to include any VA and/or private treatment records, pertaining to the issue on appeal. All efforts to obtain these records should be documented in the claim file. If any records could not be obtained, this should be noted in the claim file. 2. Upon completion of the above, schedule the Veteran for the appropriate VA examination, in order to determine the current severity of the service-connected disability on appeal. In particular, the examiner is asked to address the following: the Veteran’s contentions that he has edema with constant pain, for which he has been prescribed compression stockings and 800 Ibuprofen; his contentions that he has pain after being on his legs for four hours or more; and his contention that he has been prescribed hydrocerin cream because of itching and oily skin. For all examinations, all necessary development should be taken. The VA examiner should be given access to the claim file. The examiner should state that a review of the claim file was completed. The examiner must provide a comprehensive report including complete rationales for all opinions and conclusions reached, citing the objective medical findings leading to the conclusions. A detailed rationale is requested for all opinions provided. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE   3. If upon completion of the above action the issue is denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures. E. I. VELEZ Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD K. Foster, Associate Counsel