Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his peripheral neuropathy and headaches are related to service-connected residuals of gunshot wound.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective September 1, 2001.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with the effective date being August 30, 2001.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to pneumonia and diffuse polyneuropathy, neither of which are service-connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, survivor's pension benefits, and accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and some of his other claims are dismissed. The diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any neuropathy of the upper extremities and melanoma, including consideration of service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, tremors, and peripheral neuropathy due to potential service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's in-service exposure is presumed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, left knee, and bilateral feet. The issues of service connection for neuropathy are also remanded. HIV is remanded as there is a current diagnosis and in-service incidents. PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder) are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the education and work history to perform sedentary administrative duties.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, as well as bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and lower extremity neuropathy. The evidence did not show any in-service injuries or diseases related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unemployable and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 2, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the Veteran's claim for a right thigh condition remains denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his active duty service. The other reopened claims are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities rated at least 60%, qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthroplasty with scars is currently rated at 60 percent, which reflects severe painful motion and weakness. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating as the current rating adequately accounts for his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including foot disability, toe numbness and tingling, hypertension, chronic edema, erectile dysfunction, left leg neuropathy, and depression. The VA will obtain his treatment records from 1970 to 2000, schedule him for examinations, and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity and remanded the issues of service connection for low back condition, bilateral knee condition, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to secondary service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, diabetes mellitus type II, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The effective dates for these determinations were set at January 26, 2012, May 14, 2012, respectively.

The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted. A TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, left fifth toe/foot disorder, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy of the right and left legs and feet, and sinus disorder due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's statements indicate he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Tappahannock, but verification is needed from the U.S. Army, Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).