Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a higher initial rating is denied.,The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, skin condition, metabolic disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, was granted. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to February 1, 2013 and from February 1, 2013 until November 2, 2015, and a TDIU claim since January 1, 2016 were also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds that his employment as an administrator at an unemployment office is substantially gainful.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective December 3, 2012. The cold injury residuals of the right and left lower extremities were rated as 30%. The peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was rated as 40% from April 11, 2016 onwards. For the period prior to December 3, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 7, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have RSD and his right ulnar nerve disability is currently rated as moderate incomplete paralysis, which does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus, DM2, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. His DM2 has also been granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's liposarcoma, right hip was granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded as further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to his left foot. This includes obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as arranging for an examination by a physician to determine if any current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or related to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was granted based on clear and unmistakable error in the April 1993 rating decision.

The Veteran's skin disorder and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder manifested by pain, numbness, and tingling to include polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, and carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as due to cold weather exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including any neurological components such as sciatic nerve disorder and peripheral neuropathy, is not related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic disease shown in service or within the applicable presumptive period under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Veteran's disability has been productive of no more than severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including GERD and H. pylori infection, asthma, bilateral foot disability, left knee and right knee DJD, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver disability other than cavernous liver hemangioma.

The Board has determined that the November 2013 VA examination reports are inadequate to adjudicate the appeals and remands the case for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and tendonitis/bursitis warrants a 60 percent rating on an extraschedular basis effective October 13, 2015.