Citation Nr: 20037568 Decision Date: 06/02/20 Archive Date: 06/02/20 DOCKET NO. 17-36 075 DATE: June 2, 2020 REMANDED The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is remanded. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, associated with diabetes mellitus, is remanded. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, associated with diabetes mellitus, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the Army from January 1956 to December 1958 and in the Coast Guard from June 1960 to June 1964 and from June 1971 to October 1977. These matters come before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an August 2016 rating decision. Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy The Board finds that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran’s claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The evidence of record demonstrates that the Veteran’s disabilities have worsened since his last VA examination in July 2016. First, in correspondence submitted in November 2016, one of the Veteran’s private treating physicians stated that despite an improved diet, the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus has worsened. Further, the private physician stated that due to neuropathy, the Veteran suffers from worsened imbalance with risk of falls. The Board notes that imbalance with risk of falls due to neuropathy was not considered in the July 2016 VA examination. Second, in correspondence submitted in October 2018, another of the Veteran’s private treating physicians provided a statement regarding the Veteran’s worsened disabilities. The physician stated that the Veteran presently suffers from progressive neuropathy with associated progressive weakness. Lastly, in the Appellate Brief submitted in May 2020, the Veteran asserts that his disabilities have worsened and are continuing to worsen. When evidence indicates that service-connected disabilities are now worse than at the time of a Veteran’s most recent VA examination, as is the case here, it is within VA’s duty to assist that he be afforded a new examination in order to accurately assess the current level of impairment. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 402-403 (1997). Therefore, the Board finds that a remand is warranted to properly assess the current level of impairment of the Veteran’s diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain all treatment records from any VA facility from which the Veteran has received treatment. If the Veteran has received additional private treatment, he should be afforded an appropriate opportunity to submit the medical records of such treatment. 2. Following completion of the above, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The claims folder must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner. All tests deemed necessary should be conducted and the results should be reported in detail. The examiner should also consider all lay statements submitted by the Veteran regarding his disorder. JAMES L. MARCH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Page-Nelson, Associate 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.