Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the currently assigned noncompensable evaluations were appropriate based on the audiometric findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and total disability based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected left cubital tunnel syndrome and left ulnar nerve compression are combined, so a separate rating for the left cubital tunnel syndrome is denied. The Veteran's left median neuropathy does not warrant an increased rating. The Veteran's surgical scar of the left elbow is noncompensable. The Veteran is not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right elbow injury with nerve transposition and ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. His bilateral pes planus has been increased to 50 percent since September 4, 2014.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, colon cancer, and PTSD. The appeal was also denied regarding restoration of service connection for residuals of rib fracture and TDIU.

The Veteran's upper extremity diabetic neuropathies are rated as 20 percent disabling, and his lower extremities are rated at 40 percent prior to November 14, 2015. The RO has granted a 40 percent rating for the lower extremities since that date.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, cervical condition with neuropathy, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's previous claims were denied in October 1999, March 2006, and November 2006.,The Board is evaluating whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum to the September 2010 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his diabetes mellitus and related conditions, including diabetic neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a colon condition has been reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 30 percent, and his left upper extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear severity determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence demonstrates that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's upper and lower peripheral neuropathy and PTSD are more disabling than their current evaluations reflect.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation above the right knee and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on this need.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, is rated at 40 percent since September 12, 2013. The same rating applies to the left lower extremity from May 5, 2011 to September 4, 2013, and then again from September 5, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening a claim of service connection for a neck disability, as well as for ratings in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability and right foot cold injury residuals, and for ratings in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board has dismissed these appeals.