Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and headaches, prevented him from working as of March 27, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants TDIU effective March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's CAD with congestive heart failure and bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy are etiologically related to an unknown viral infection contracted in-service. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and peripheral neuropathy of both shoulders were denied effective from June 18, 2003.,Claims for right and left wrist osteoarthritis were also denied effective from February 20, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and an opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spurs, are rated at 30 percent from April 8, 2011 to March 12, 2014. As of March 13, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent and his bilateral pes cavus is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropathy is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The decision on hypertension is pending further examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 18, 2012 for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied PTSD claim and service connection for a back condition have not been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is found to be service-connected, and his left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been increased in rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and variability of diagnoses. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for a VA examination to address his skin disability, lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headache disorder.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeal for the claims of bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including verification of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance based on use of a knee brace. The Chief Medical Director or designee must determine if the knee brace meets the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if VA examinations are necessary. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.