Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the appeals are dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the unavailability of the Veterans Law Judge who conducted his October 2013 Board hearing. He has been requested a new Board hearing held at his local VA RO.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from July 31, 2007. Service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 29, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability that would warrant the assigned rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a back disability (degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,Service connection is granted for porphyria cutanea tarda, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's diabetes caused his condition.

The Veteran's service connection for left elbow ulnar neuropathy and left shoulder arthritis has been granted. However, a separate compensable rating for the arthritis is denied as it would constitute impermissible pyramiding.

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be caused by his service-connected multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his service-connected conditions alone result in the need for such benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension with renal insufficiency, type II diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 70 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed cervical spine disorders, peripheral neuropathy-related disorders of the right and left lower extremities, and left upper extremity. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, requesting information from SSA regarding disability benefits, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8517 for incomplete paralysis of the minor nerve.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all related claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain missing records and ensure the complete record is available for review. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date of April 14, 2009, for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower right extremity will be reconsidered.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence showing his current peripheral neuropathy is related to in-service herbicide exposure and began within a year of both his last exposure to tactical herbicides and military discharge. Service connection is granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.