Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain necessary VA medical examinations and opinions for the issues of service connection for a left lower extremity disorder and a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The diabetes mellitus rating has not met the criteria for a higher rating, but his pilonidal cyst with recurrent open wound warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, calcaneal spurs and pes planus, is found to be incurred in service. However, his right and left upper and lower extremity disabilities are not attributable to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy, pes planus and restless leg syndrome was also not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left and right foot disorders were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. He needs a VA examination to assess this.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as his hypertension, are due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The postoperative cardiac surgery scar is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from June 30, 2009 to February 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing on the issue of bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding the remaining issues. The appellant must file a substantive appeal to continue their appeal.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case has been remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and neuropathy. The effective date of the award is August 25, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 9, 2007. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and compensation were denied. The claim of new and material evidence to reopen the malaria claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a social and industrial survey to determine his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the sciatic nerve for both lower extremities and femoral nerve for both lower extremities have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective May 6, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was found to be incurred in service. The issue of left hand numbness is remanded for a new VA examination.