Citation Nr: 20003256
Decision Date: 01/14/20	Archive Date: 01/14/20

DOCKET NO. 18-18 122
DATE: January 14, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from May 1970 to February 1974.  This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2017 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).

1. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

2. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is remanded.

3. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is remanded.

4. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

In a May 2019 Board decision and remand, the Board reopened the issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities and the right and left lower extremities.  The Board then remanded these issues explaining that the RO had not yet considered these issues on the merits.  After the case was returned to the RO, the RO associated recent VA records with the claims file and then issued a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).  In the SSOC, the RO denied the Veteran’s claim for entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy for the right and left upper and lower extremities because a treatment record stated that his peripheral neuropathy “was likely from poorly controlled diabetes”.  In the VA treatment record, the clinician further noted that the Veteran’s history of chemotherapy and XRT could be contributing to his peripheral neuropathy.  See June 2015 VA treatment record.  The record shows that service in Vietnam has not been found and diabetes mellitus has not been service-connected.  Despite this, no opinion has been obtained that addresses direct causation of his peripheral neuropathy.  The Board finds an examination is needed to determine if his peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service, specifically, his work as a mechanic.  

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and right and left lower extremities.  The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including his work as a mechanic. 

2. Readjudicate the Veteran’s claims, with application of all appropriate laws, regulations, and case law, and consideration of any additional information obtained as a result of this remand.  If the decision remains adverse to the Veteran, he should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case and afforded an appropriate period of time within which to respond thereto.

 

 

KRISTI L. GUNN

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Tahirih S. Samadani, Counsel

The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.