Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or secondary service connection, and there was no evidence of active disease or treatment phase.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the etiology of his bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, PTSD, and coronary artery disease have been granted. An effective date of November 24, 2008 has also been established.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The claims were not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hand condition, including Raynaud's disease and polyneuropathy syndrome, is presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy and early-onset peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension because he did not serve during a period of war, which is a requirement for eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in functional impairment that causes him to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, feed himself, and perform activities of daily living without assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication, including obtaining records from SSA, VA treatment records, and opinions regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disease of the cervical spine, PTSD, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and residual scars, rendered him unable to care for himself. The Board found that he required regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the record regarding the Veteran's service, exposure history, and potential presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper and lower neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity eczema/sebopsoriasis.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet was not chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. The Board finds that symptoms of bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy were not continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including identifying specific aircraft he serviced during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral sural nerve sensory peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected bilateral chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran does not have a permanent total service-connected disability, and therefore does not meet the criteria for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 of Title 38 U.S.C.A.