Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of August 5, 2002. The evidence shows the Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since at least that time.

The Veteran's claim seeking increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in 2015.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 18, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and sleep disturbance disorder are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for various service-connected conditions has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a grant of increased disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities was evaluated as moderate severity beginning November 3, 2015.,Higher initial disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected sciatic neuropathy are not warranted.

The Veteran's right tarsal tunnel syndrome with peroneal neuropathy and complex regional pain is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,For GERD and IBS, a rating of 30 percent has been granted effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran's condition continues to meet the criteria for this higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand and whether he is entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus with heart disease, renal dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to such exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left wrist peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 20 percent since October 17, 2016. The rating is effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lung disability, varicose veins and peripheral neuropathy claims are being remanded for additional development as the VA examination is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including generalized joint pain, right and left knee disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, urinary disorder, warts, neuropathy of the extremities, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals were decided on a direct service connection basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The CAD claim was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to June 13, 2007. The peripheral neuropathy claims were denied as they did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 5, 2005 and thereafter.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are service-connected. His heart disability is not service-connected, but the Board has requested additional development to determine if it is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent since September 2, 2016. His left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include reopening and granting service connection for vision changes, lumbar spine disability, neuropathy of upper extremities, arthritis of hands, bilateral knee disability, bilateral calf condition, and memory problems.

The Board found that the symptomatology and impairment caused by the Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all specifically contemplated by the schedular rating criteria for the entire initial rating period from August 6, 2007. Therefore, the criteria for an extraschedular rating have not been met.