Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to March 10, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for the condition as of March 10, 2016.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for hypothyroidism and increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the functional equivalent of loss of use of one or both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims. The AOJ will consider all evidence received since the last Supplemental Statements of the Case (SSOC) in conjunction with prior evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, diabetes, neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, bilateral retinopathy, and depression with PTSD are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for each condition.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claims for 2011 and 2014 were granted, while her claim for 2012 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran used topical medications prescribed for service-connected conditions which caused damage to her clothes.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities including a skin condition, fibromyalgia, traumatic arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and hypothyroidism. Her clothing allowance claims are based on the use of these conditions' associated medications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total rating, service connection for COPD, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depression was not addressed as it involves issues referred to another RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitates a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA medical examination to assess the severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance pending the development of these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to service-connected lumbar degenerative disk disease. The Veteran's bladder and gastrointestinal disabilities are also considered in light of their relationship to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which the VA doctor opined was due to his service-connected type II diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and medication for ischemic heart disease. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, there is no evidence in the file at the date of death that would have supported a claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected scars from a bilateral mastectomy have been rated at 20 percent, effective February 6, 2011. The Board has found that the Veteran is entitled to this rating based on his moderate incomplete paralysis of the long thoracic nerve in both upper extremities.

The Veteran's service records do not show any foreign service, including in Korea. The appellant's claims for cold injuries and neuropathy are denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or disease/injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including as due to exposure to tactical herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Board has ordered further development due to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service. The case is now remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes.