Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease is fixed at October 3, 2007.,The Veteran's effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is fixed at July 16, 2010. The appellant argues that the earlier dates should apply due to VA treatment records and medications received from the VA pharmacy. However, there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to these dates.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent as his condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities (diabetic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease) is now 100 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of residuals of cold injury of the lower extremities, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her claimed bilateral foot disability and neuropathy. The case will be reconsidered after these opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of his claim. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remain unchanged. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hand cold injury has been granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and TDIU are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thus denying his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for an earlier effective date is also pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, which was granted in July 2010. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address his September 2009 informal claim for increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and clarification of opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed back condition and peripheral neuropathy. The claims will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from October 25, 2004, forward. The initial rating appeals for the back disability and associated lower extremity neuropathies are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy was not caused by VA fault in prescribing INH therapy for latent tuberculosis, and thus denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU due to his combined rating of 80 percent.