Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 2, 2006.

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.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. An earlier effective date claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was granted on April 18, 2012.

The Board has not determined the merits of any service connection claims as they are pending before it. The Veteran's claims for residuals of myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, sinus disorder, and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since their last denial in 2010. However, the Board has not found any service connection as they are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of left lower extremity and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 5, 2008. His left sciatic peripheral nerve neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and upper extremity conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion or neuropathy to a degree warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and right wrist disability are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including CTS and tardy ulnar palsy, did not have its onset during military service or is otherwise causally related to such service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a nervous condition, now claimed as mental condition/nervousness to include depression, anxiety and sleeping problems. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the nature and etiology of his lymphedema and peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for PTSD, brachial plexopathy, peroneal neuropathy, GSW residuals to the neck and trapezius, and vocal cord paralysis have all been denied. The VA examinations conducted did not support higher rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for tinnitus, are denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and its relationship to service, including any potential secondary effects from his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence linking any such condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type I, with associated ischemic optic neuropathy with retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU rating prior to January 11, 2012 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).