Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current frostbite residuals of the face, hands, or feet related to service. His skin disorders and peripheral neuropathy are not etiologically related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death. The March 2016 VHA opinion concluded that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were neither singly, nor jointly with some other condition, the immediate or underlying cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental incapacity, as evidenced by multiple hospitalizations and inability to manage personal finances.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and granted it on de novo review, finding that new evidence supports a relationship to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, neuropathy, tinnitus, and secondary service-connected IHD have been granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities was granted separate evaluations of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8614, for neuritis, which is rated with Diagnostic Code 8514.,Throughout the appeal period, a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered in light of this new information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to work and considering any period when the Veteran was unemployed due to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if applicable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and no specific conditions are being appealed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neuropathy of the upper extremities is not related to his service, including as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature, symptoms, and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective February 19, 2013. His neuropathy of the left lower extremity and left upper extremity have also been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck injury, head injury, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50%.

The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities prior to October [redacted], 2015.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims. The issues include service connection, increased rating, and initial compensable rating for his left shoulder disabilities.