Citation Nr: 21023376 Decision Date: 04/20/21 Archive Date: 04/20/21 DOCKET NO. 18-45 430 DATE: April 20, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) from October 1953 to October 1956 and from February 1968 to February 1970. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In his September 2018 substantive appeal, the Veteran requested that he be afforded a hearing before a member of the Board. The Veteran was scheduled for his requested hearing in June 2019. However, prior to that hearing, the Veteran withdrew his request. Service Connection — Peripheral Neuropathy of the RLE and LLE. The Veteran asserts that he has peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE that is as a result of herbicide agent exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board concedes herbicide agent exposure as due to the Veteran’s service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service treatment records show that the Veteran reported leg cramps during his enlistment examination and pes cavus was also noted on his October 1953 Report of Medical Examination. An October 1998 treatment record shows that the Veteran had a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy marked by bouts of numbness and tingling sensations in both legs. The Veteran has not been afforded an examination to determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that the evidence of record is sufficient to trigger VA’s duty to assist in providing the Veteran with a VA examination to address whether any current neuropathy of the lower extremities is due to service, to include exposure to herbicides. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). The matters are 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. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE. The examiner must conduct a full etiology work up, to include any necessary tests, and review the claims file in its entirety. The examiner is advised that the Veteran has been presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his military service.  Based on the review of the record, the examiner must provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that any peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE had its onset during the Veteran’s active service, or is otherwise etiologically related to such service to include conceded exposure to herbicides. The rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided. 3. Confirm that all medical opinions provided comport with this remand and undertake any other development determined to be warranted. 4. Then, readjudicate the issues on appeal. If any decision remains adverse to the appellant, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response. Then, return the case to the Board. Roya Bahrami Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board I. Umez-Eronini, 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.