Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The decision will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his fatal intracerebral hemorrhage, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether any currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy is considered 'early onset' or 'delayed onset', if related to active duty service, and if caused by or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, coccyx fracture residuals, metabolic acidosis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and right foot disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neurological disorder and its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the unavailability of service treatment records. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is also being remanded as a Statement of the Case has not been issued.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation services has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a review of his current service-connected disabilities and employment status.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to consider the combined functional effects of all service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating for diabetic nephropathy from 30% to 0% was proper. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability claimed as chloracne was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since March 14, 2014. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, as due to exposure to herbicides, is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current disability for VA purposes and his cancer was causally or etiologically related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral sensory neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and a need to obtain additional information about his hospitalization at Camp Pendleton. The Board will attempt to reconstruct the claims file, seek any missing documents, and schedule VA examinations if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various conditions, including CLL and diabetes. The Board has ordered additional development to address the sufficiency of evidence regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, effective from August 12, 2014. The effective date is not earlier than November 30, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.