Citation Nr: 21002612 Decision Date: 01/14/21 Archive Date: 01/14/21 DOCKET NO. 17-18 769 DATE: January 14, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for peripheral vascular disorder of the left lower extremity, to include venous stasis and edema, and to include as secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral vascular disorder of the right lower extremity, to include venous stasis and edema, to include as secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Army from March 1968 to January 1970. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a February 2016 rating decision by a Regional Office (RO) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran and his wife testified at a January 8, 2021, hearing held before the undersigned via videoconference from the Houston, Texas, RO. This decision is being rendered prior to the production of a transcript of that hearing; as the claim is remanded for clearly necessary further development, the Veteran is not prejudiced. Consistent with the Veteran’s allegations, the issues on appeal are recharacterized to reflect claims for circulatory, not neurological, problems of the lower extremities related to diabetes. The RO’s unexplained shift in focus, repeatedly complained of by the Veteran, prejudiced him in the development and adjudication of the claims. Further development is required in connection with the claim of service connection for peripheral vascular disorder of the left and right lower extremities, to include venous stasis and edema. VA must provide an examination that is adequate for rating purposes. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007). If VA undertakes to provide an examination, even if not required to do so, the examination must be adequate, or the Veteran informed as why one cannot or will not be provided. Daves v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 46, 52 (2007). The December 2015 provided in the case, and relied on in the adverse decision, is not adequate, and remand is required to secure such. The examiner did not review any records in conjunction with the examination, and therefore did not address the VA treatment records showing the presence of circulatory problems of the lower extremities, to include venous stasis. His opinion is based on an inaccurate, or at least in compelte, factual basis. Updated VA treatment records should be requested on remand. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Associate updated VA treatment records with the claims file. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to ascertain the nature and etiology of the claimed peripheral vascular disorder of the bilateral lower extremities, to include diagnoses of venous stasis and edema; the claims folder must be reviewed in conjunction with the examination. All circulatory problems of the lower extremities must be identified, and for each the examiner must opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service, to include as due to service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus. Peripheral vascular disease, venous stasis, and edema (as well as any identified underlying cause) must be specifically discussed. A full and complete rationale is required for all opinions expressed. 3. Then, readjudicate the remanded issue. If the benefit sought remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case. The case should then be returned to the Board for appellate review if otherwise in order. WILLIAM H. DONNELLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board G.A. Ong, 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.