Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional records, as well as further consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder may be related to service, including his reported gunshot wound. The examiner should also provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his low back disorder.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of in-service disease or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD as a result of combat stressors in Vietnam. The claim for peripheral neuropathy is reopened, and the Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity as secondary to isoniazid therapy used to treat tuberculosis in service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the failure to report for a VA examination, worsening of his service-connected conditions since the last examinations in March 2008, and need for a new total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy could be decided as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the addition of service-connected hypothyroidism, which has changed his combined rating from 70% to 80%. The VA will need to determine if the combination of disabilities prevents him from securing and maintaining employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy, claimed as shaky hands, is being remanded due to new evidence that may refute the findings of a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened, while the claims for right shoulder, cervical spine, and bilateral hand disabilities were not granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted with a 20% rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for the other conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability due to aggravation during active duty. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as she did not file an informal claim prior to January 9, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and an initial disability rating of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits was denied as he did not have an employment handicap despite having multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination reports and treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after the new evidence has been considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild cutaneous neuropathy of the left index finger is due to a disease or injury incurred in service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA and private medical records, provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claim, including whether it is related to service or secondary to herbicide exposure, and then readjudicate the case.

The Board denied a separate compensable evaluation for peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran does not have this condition.