Citation Nr: A21016397 Decision Date: 10/06/21 Archive Date: 10/06/21 DOCKET NO. 210601-163058 DATE: October 6, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc and facet joints (low back disability) is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from November 1964 to November 1967. These matters are on appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) from an April 2021 rating decision issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office. In the June 2021 VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), the Veteran timely appealed the portion of the rating decision pertaining to the issues above and selected the evidence docket. 38 C.F.R. § 20.202. By way of background, in a January 2021 remand, the Board previously identified a duty to assist error made prior to the February 2020 rating decision that was on appeal, and remanded the case to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to correct the error by obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion. The Veteran was afforded a VA medical examination with accompanying medical opinions in February 2021. Unfortunately, as explained below, remand is again warranted. Evidence was added to the claims file during a period of time when new evidence was not allowed. The Board may not consider this evidence. 38 C.F.R. § 20.300. That stated, the newly-submitted evidence will be reviewed and considered by the AOJ after it completes the development ordered by the Board immediately below. 1. Service Connection for Low Back Disability is Remanded. 2. Service Connection for Right Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy is Remanded. 3. Service Connection for Left Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy is Remanded. 4. Service Connection for Right Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy is Remanded. 5. Service Connection for Left Lower Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy is Remanded. Prior to the April 2021 rating decision on appeal, the Veteran identified relevant outstanding private treatment records. In a December 2019 correspondence, he reported that he had sought private treatment for his low back disability and neuropathy at Premier Neurological Services in Canton, Georgia. See December 2019 Fully Developed Claim. Even after the January 2021 Board remand, the AOJ did not attempt to obtain these records. During the period when evidence was allowed, the Veteran again reported that he sought private treatment for the issues on appeal. See June 2021 Medical Treatment Record. Accordingly, a remand is required to allow VA to obtain these records. Furthermore, with respect to the issues of bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, the February 2021 VA medical examiner opined that the Veteran's condition was more likely associated with his low back disability. In addition to the reasons noted above, these issues must be remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's low back disability. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: (Continued on the next page) Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for Premier Neurological Services. Also, ask the Veteran to identify all outstanding treatment records relevant to his claims. All other properly identified records should be obtained if the necessary authorization to obtain the records is provided by the Veteran. If any records are not available, or the Veteran identifies sources of treatment but does not provide authorization to obtain records, appropriate action should be taken, to include notifying the Veteran of the unavailability of the records. D. Martz Ames Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board M. Mathew 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.