Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and is not related to any incident of active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities did not manifest during service or as a result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as well as an opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, combine to render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment since April 6, 2015. His diabetes requires regulation of dietary activities but not restriction of physical activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased staged evaluation for the service-connected lumbar paravertebral myositis and entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR).

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the July 2015 VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed foot disability and its relationship to his active military service, including exposure at Dugway Proving Ground.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The RO granted the maximum allowable benefit of a 10 percent rating for each affected extremity, effective June 19, 2008, and then raised the ratings to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his representative. The issues of rating PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the initial ratings assigned are less than what he seeks.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as he withdrew them prior to a decision being made. The Board also determined that service connection for erectile dysfunction is not warranted, as it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected atrophic left testicle.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a DRO hearing and for new VA examinations to assess the current state of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at the initial 20 percent level since December 17, 2002. The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as of April 20, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee disabilities, or lumbar fusion disability. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as there is insufficient clinical evidence to support this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher initial disability ratings for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.