Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and issuance of an SOC regarding the issues of service connection and reopening claims.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been rated at 20 percent since May 17, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been granted, with some issues receiving higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that effective dates of October 17, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and February 28, 2012 for cold weather injury of right foot and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity are warranted based on the Veteran's intent to apply for benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's CIDP is etiologically related to active service, and thus grants service connection for CIDP.

The Board has determined that service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is not warranted on a direct or secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy, both presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and whether he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy and right hip disability are not related to his service-connected condition.,The evidence did not establish a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for migraines, a back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability that is secondary to his service-connected malaria. The claims are also being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his malaria and post-service treatment, as well as any alleged bouts of malaria in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for migraines that are secondary to his service-connected malaria. The claims are also being remanded to obtain opinions regarding the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the Board finding that it was not properly addressed in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy, and pes planus were granted. He was assigned a 10% disability rating for pes planus effective October 17, 2013.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied service connection for non-small cell carcinoma and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's non-small cell carcinoma due to lack of causal relationship established. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service was acknowledged, but it was determined that smoking had a more significant impact on his lung cancer diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left hand injury, finding that his current conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from service and were not related to his military service.