Citation Nr: 18159255
Decision Date: 12/18/18	Archive Date: 12/18/18

DOCKET NO. 16-56 790
DATE:	December 18, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from September 1967 to September 1970.
This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Denver, Colorado. 
The Board finds that additional development is required before the claim on appeal is decided.
The Veteran asserts that his peripheral neuropathy is a result of his in-service exposure to herbicides.  Specifically, the Veteran states that he first noticed numbness and tingling in March 1969 after spending time in Vietnam. 
A review of the post-service medical evidence of record shows that the Veteran has reported numbness and tingling in his extremities and have been diagnosed with neuropathy.  However, the evidence is inconsistent as to the cause of the Veteran’s neuropathy.  A review of the record shows that the Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.  
In light of the Veteran’s reports of experiencing symptoms of neuropathy as early as 1969, and the post-service medical evidence of record showing complaints of, and treatment for neuropathy; the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.  McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).
Additionally, current treatment records should be identified and obtained before a decision is made in this case.   
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate them with the claims file.  
2. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.  The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed by the examiner.  Any indicated studies must be performed. 
Based on the examination results and review of the record, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or better) that peripheral neuropathy had its onset during the Veteran’s active service, or is otherwise etiologically related to such service, to specifically include his in-service exposure to herbicides.  In forming the opinion, the examiner must consider the Veteran’s statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.
The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided.
3. Confirm that the VA examination report and all medical opinions provided comport with this remand, and undertake any other development determined to be warranted.
4. Then, readjudicate the claim on appeal.  If the decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board.
 
Kristin Haddock
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Devyn Whitlock, Law Clerk