Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is currently pending. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right shoulder reverse total arthroscopy was not related to his service-connected right shoulder residuals of tendonitis and myositis. The claim for a temporary total disability rating following the surgery is denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including peripheral neuropathy and onychomycosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining English translations of Spanish documents and treatment records from the San Juan VAMC. A VA examination will be scheduled to evaluate his diabetes with hypertension and nephropathy condition, as well as a nerve examination to determine which nerves were impacted in April/May 2010.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities cannot be earlier than August 20, 2010 due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2012. The initial rating for PTSD was increased from 10 percent to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions prior to August 7, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy did not have their onset during his periods of honorable service, nor were they related to such service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The rating for diabetes mellitus remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there is no evidence of a link between the current condition and the service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) due to secondary service-connected diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ulnar nerve neuropathy was not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and denied service connection for this condition. The rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot neurological disability was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with callosities, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active service. The disability did not manifest within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 18, 2014, to March 18, 2016. Therefore, his claim for TDIU during this period is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining the 'Evaluation of Permanent Visual Impairment' and the formula utilized to determine the 20 percent visual efficiency evaluation referenced by the Director.