Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to obtain any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities or erectile dysfunction related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neurological disability is related to his service-connected left shoulder injury residuals. Additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the February 2013 examination, is required.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left ulnar mononeuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from a surgical procedure in April 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if there was substantial compliance with informed consent requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for small fiber neuropathy, idiopathic (claimed as peripheral neuropathy), to include as due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further development and an additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins, stasis dermatitis, and peripheral neuropathy are proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. As such, these conditions have been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for direct service connection.

The Veteran's right-sided radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since July 26, 2004. The Board granted an increased rating for the disability from that date.

The Board finds that there is no credible evidence of a right upper extremity disability during or since service, and the only medical opinion evidence does not support a nexus between any current disability affecting the right upper extremity and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including neuropathy and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, cervical spine disability, bulging disc and herniation, degenerative changes of the right ankle, left ankle, and thoracic paravertebral myositis (claimed as thoracic lordosis).

The Board found that the Veteran's current left upper extremity neuropathy did not have onset in service and was not caused by or otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for prostate cancer and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and clarification of rating decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent since July 13, 2009. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including issuance of a supplemental statement of the case and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Board has ordered additional development of the appellant's DIC claim and claims for accrued benefits due to her husband's service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain private treatment records from University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and to adjudicate the issues of service connection for residuals of low back, neck, and right leg injury for accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's right leg peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.