Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as his claimed right foot disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The VA is directed to obtain all outstanding records from April 2014 onwards, including SSA records and any private medical records not already in the file.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8513 for moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular nerves. The right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for left middle neuropathy due to trauma from shrapnel, finding no evidence of a claim prior to January 23, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to the lack of service connection for his coronary artery disease. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence, including VA treatment records from specific time periods.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran seeks SMC in excess of the intermediate rate between 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n) and (o) plus (k). The case is REMANDED to determine if the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance or a higher level of care due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are found to be caused by exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange. The claim is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's polyneuropathy is service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange, and granted his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and readjudication is required based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the diseases are not presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, which meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is attributable to his in-service neck spasms and lumbar strain, and grants service connection based on new evidence from service treatment records.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the appellant B.A.P.S. could not be recognized as the surviving spouse due to her prior legal marriage to the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in each lower extremity is currently rated at 40% since March 20, 2008. The Board finds that ratings in excess of 40% are not warranted as there is no evidence of complete paralysis or marked muscle atrophy.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and increased ratings in various conditions, with some issues resulting in new and material evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's appeal for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been withdrawn.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The current rating for type II diabetes is 20 percent, while the current rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is 40 percent.