Citation Nr: 18156515
Decision Date: 12/10/18	Archive Date: 12/10/18

DOCKET NO. 16-62 857
DATE:	December 10, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 60 percent for peripheral vascular disease, right leg, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from June 1970 to October 1992.
The most recent VA examination addressing the Veteran’s disability was conducted in June 2014, more than four years ago. In his October 2014 Notice of Disagreement, he indicated that he suffered from pain while at rest and that his tests showed an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.4. The Veteran also submitted a private physician’s examination report in which the physician did report that the Veteran had an ABI of 0.4. See July 2012 private treatment record. Unfortunately, neither the latest VA examiner nor the private physician addressed whether the Veteran suffered from ischemic limb pain while at rest or deep ischemic ulcers. Given these problems and the lapse of time since the most recent VA examination, a more contemporaneous examination is necessary in this case before the Board may consider the rating warranted for this disability.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all outstanding VA medical records and ask the Veteran to provide authorizations for any private medical records warranting consideration on appeal. 
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for artery and vein conditions by an appropriate examiner to determine the severity of his peripheral vascular disease, right leg, disability. The claims file must be reviewed, and all appropriate tests and studies should be conducted, as indicated in the most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire. Additionally, the examiner should answer the following questions, including a complete rationale for each answer:
(a.) Does the Veteran suffer from ischemic limb pain at rest?
(b.) What is his current ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
(c.) Does he suffer from deep ischemic ulcers?
A complete rationale for all opinions must be provided.
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Evan Thomas Hicks