Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, L5-S1 vertebral bodies, with compression deformity of the L4 vertebral body is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied because the additional disabilities he developed were not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, with secondary dysfunction, incontinence, neuropathy of the right leg, fatigue, enlarged mammary glands, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is also presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's left shoulder DJD is service-connected, but he does not have a separate neurological disorder of the left upper extremity related to his service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure in Vietnam and requests for additional evidence. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus and associated complications is on appeal.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury and therefore, service connection for TBI is denied. The issues of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for Anxiety Disorder and service connection for Peripheral Neuropathy of the Bilateral Lower Extremities are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity is related to his service-connected left shoulder dislocation associated with status post left shoulder dislocation with degenerative joint disease, and not directly attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and prostate disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are denied. The effective date is set at April 25, 2006.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and swollen prostate are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left arm disorders are not related to his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the pending claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as new evidence received since the last SSOC. The AOJ will arrange for a VA examination to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and hypertension have been granted service connection on a secondary basis due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for PTSD has been withdrawn. The Veteran expressed his satisfaction with the decision issued in connection with his appeal and requested that his appeal be withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.