Citation Nr: 18156611 Decision Date: 12/11/18 Archive Date: 12/10/18 DOCKET NO. 12-32 244 DATE: December 11, 2018 ORDER Service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted. FINDING OF FACT The Veteran has bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1111; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty service from May 1966 to May 1968. The claim was remanded by the Board in February 2017 so that a Board hearing could be scheduled. However, the Veteran failed to report for the hearing scheduled for January 2018 and has not requested that a hearing be rescheduled. The Board further notes that new evidence was added to the record by VA following the last adjudication of the claim; however, as the Board is granting the full benefits claimed, there is no prejudice in continuing to adjudicate the claim. 1. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy The Veteran contends that he has current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result of his service-connected diabetes. Service connection is provided for a disability which is proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disease or injury. 38 C.F.R. § 3.310. While a previous 2007 and 2011 VA examination did not demonstrate peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremity, a January 2018 VA examination demonstrates that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result of his service-connected diabetes. There is no evidence contradicting the 2018 VA examiner’s diagnosis. As such, the Board find that the claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is granted. B.T. KNOPE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD A.B., Counsel