Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is as likely as not related to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neurological condition in his right wrist, including carpal tunnel syndrome and peroneal nerve injury, which he believes are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The current examination reports do not adequately address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent prior to March 24, 2014, and 40 percent thereafter. His PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to that date and increased to 70 percent from March 24, 2014.,The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on appeal were denied as his service-connected diabetic neuropathy did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injuries, including neuropathy and paresthesias of the upper and lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the reopening of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, a right kidney disability, and back pain. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA), and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of SMC at the rate equal to subsection (m) based on the loss of use of both legs due to service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities with additional disability (service-connected bronchial asthma) independently ratable as 100 percent disabling from August 20, 2009. The Veteran's claims for higher levels of SMC under 38 C.F.R. � 3.350(f)(3) and 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claimed disabilities and determine their relationship to service. The Veteran is also advised that he may submit additional evidence or argument.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion on the Veteran's employability and his VA Vocational Rehabilitation file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis warrants a 20 percent rating since April 1, 1996.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma was denied as there is no current active disease or residual disability, and the Veteran currently has only a noncompensable rating for paraproteinemia associated with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is presumed to have existed prior to service and was aggravated during service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow gainful employment prior to June 4, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU is set at May 10, 2010.