Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016. Since that date, his combined scheduler disability rating was 100%, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD and major depression, were granted. The rating assigned for GERD was increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from March 22, 2010; his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including issuance of a statement of the case on accrued benefits and service connection issues. The appeal is deferred pending completion of this development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for myelodysplasia syndrome, hypertension, and anemia on a direct basis or as a result of exposure to herbicide agents. The most probative evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and residuals of ganglion cyst. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues including service connection claims, increased rating claims, and TDIU. The right ankle disability received a 10% rating, but no higher. Bilateral external otitis remained at the 10% rating. Diabetes mellitus continued to be rated at 20%. Peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was rated at 40%, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his left knee DJD and ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need to secure additional VA treatment records and conduct further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Court held that evidence added to the record since the May 2005 rating decision, denying service connection for PTSD, is new and material, and the claim for service connection is reopened. However, the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, liver disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and skin cancer have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are related to his active service, with aggravation beyond its natural progression for the pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reopened and granted for PTSD. The cervical spine disability claim is also being granted, but the psychiatric disorder other than PTSD claim remains pending. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and partially amputated feet were denied. The Board found that new evidence was received to reopen the claim for peripheral neuropathy, but did not find a relationship between the disability and service or herbicide exposure. Service connection was also denied for partially amputated feet as secondary to peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with alcohol dependence, and peripheral vascular disease, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left Charcot foot deformity are all granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is also granted a non-compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral polyneuropathy are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule.,Both of the Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are currently rated at 40 percent, also not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with scoliosis, left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy with diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeals were denied for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease prior to May 12, 2011, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The claims are based on direct service connection.