Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. His claims include hypertension, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the earliest indication of intent to file a claim was received in February 2009. The appellant's application was initially denied due to lack of supporting documentation from her nursing home.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left ulnar nerve injury at the level of the Guyon's canal of the wrist is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent effective from the date of grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling new VA examinations and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) on several claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's hypertension is also not service-connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have neuropathy of the upper extremities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, that is related to service or an incident in service. The evidence shows no chronic peripheral neuropathy during or shortly following the Veteran's separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and the provision of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for HTLV 1 and 2, anxiety and depression, peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs, hepatitis C, and prostate cancer as a result of exposure to herbicides is dismissed due to withdrawal.,Veteran has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's acute neuropathy and neck/spine disability are found to be aggravated by a service-connected condition, leading to the grant of service connection for these conditions. The breathing problems and sleep apnea claims remain pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are rated at 30 percent since March 28, 2014. Separate ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 2006. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 10 percent disabling from October 12, 2004, and higher ratings are not warranted based on current symptoms. Ratings of 10 percent are assigned for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities since February 7, 2011, and effective May 14, 2012, respectively. The low back disability is rated as noncompensable from September 15, 2006, but higher ratings are not warranted based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the RUE and LUE has been manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis, warranting a disability rating of 20 percent for each upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's current left arm disorders, including residual scar, limitation of motion, and neuropathy, are not related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HIV/AIDS, renal failure, congestive heart failure with valve disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not related to service or any incident therein. The claims for these conditions have been denied.