Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations to address the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy and MDS.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims. Specifically, missing VA treatment records and incomplete examination reports are noted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left leg was granted in October 2013, resolving his appeal. The secondary service connection claim for arthritis of the right and left legs is pending.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions as they are not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and other conditions. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, which he takes a medication for (Zoloft) that can cause this condition. As such, the Board grants secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis is rated at 20% for the entire appeal period. Service connection for left ulnar neuropathy was denied as it is not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examination reports. The appeal will be remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and consider the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA peripheral nerves and PTSD evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, migraine headaches, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those allegedly related to exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions and that there was no indication of a nexus between any current disability and active duty.

The Veteran's upper extremity neuropathies have been rated based on the severity of their impairment, with a 10% rating for each major and minor side prior to November 3, 2008, and a 30% rating for the right upper extremity and a 20% rating for the left upper extremity from November 3, 2008 forward.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and metatarsalgia have been granted, but his claim for a separate rating for hypertension prior to May 26, 2007 has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted, and his claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn.