Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's internal and external hemorrhoids were rated at a 10 percent rating effective December 22, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities including coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, periostitis of the right tibia, and internal and external hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 18, 2016. Effective from that date, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity sensory neuropathy conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, or diabetic neuropathy aggravated his sleep apnea. The appeal is currently in a pending state and will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a more complete expert opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities and educational/vocational history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected Parkinson's disease, which causes him to need assistance with daily personal needs such as preparing food, eating, bathing, hygiene, and medication management.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral lower extremity neurological disability and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities, does not meet the criteria for service connection based on exposure to herbicides or any other presumptive basis. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury leading to current disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The other diagnosed conditions are also considered unrelated to service.,For the period prior to July 11, 2012, the Veteran's tension headaches were rated at 10 percent based on their frequency and severity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea are not secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his low back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, or right wrist condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin condition and neuropathy are not related to his active service, including exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his service connection claim based on toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune. The increased rating claim for schizophrenia remains pending.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 20% rating from March 31, 2015. Prior to that date, he was rated at 10%. The current ratings are appropriate based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, hypertension, and fibromyalgia were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial compensable rating (level I) for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically obtaining an addendum opinion addressing both causation and aggravation of peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, finding that it does not warrant a schedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and proliferative diabetic bilateral retinopathy remain on appeal. The case is REMANDED to the AOJ for further development.