Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA/VA clinics, as well as any private treatment records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right elbow disability, including limitation of motion and neurologic symptoms, warrants a rating of 30 percent from April 30, 2012 forward.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease (IHD)/coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including a left hip disability and related issues. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted a staged rating of 20 percent beginning November 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, lipomas, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder and Parkinson's disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing certificate is granted. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined disability rating of 70 percent from February 27, 2013 onward, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning September 26, 2008. As such, an effective date of June 13, 2012 for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy due to inadequate VA examination and lack of clarity in opinions provided. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his claimed conditions are related to service, including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left hand neuropathy, deviated nasal septum, and residual scar on bridge of nose have been denied. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected deviated nasal septum.,There are no issues in controversy regarding sinusitis as it was found to be associated with the Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, diabetes, or bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is attributable to the Veteran's service in Vietnam and secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The decision also addresses a claim based on Agent Orange exposure but finds no evidence supporting this theory.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The head injury residuals claim is denied, and the right leg neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the combined effects of diabetes mellitus with PTSD, sensorineural hearing loss; and diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities warrant an extraschedular rating.