Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg neuropathy, finding that it did not arise in or within a year of his separation from active duty and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of aseptic meningitis, as well as TDIU prior to August 21, 2008, are still pending. The AOJ is directed to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and consider whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 1961 rating decision that denied service connection for residuals of aseptic meningitis. Additionally, the AOJ must re-adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, both secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to additional VA treatment records and consideration of a recent VA examination report. The claim for service connection for hypertension was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to an in-service cold injury, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to assess the functional impairment caused solely by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disorder; and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted. The claims are remanded for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and assigned an effective date of April 22, 2011. The Veteran's claim was pending due to a previous denial in February 2012, but the issue remained open because he filed a notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities (excluding peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities) is being remanded as he requires assistance with household chores, sorting medications, and driving due to his remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions related to diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a skin disorder, and that there was no nexus between any of these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities due to its severity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which he claims is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA has not provided a sufficient opinion regarding whether this condition is related to his service or to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inclusion of new VA examination reports that were not considered in the initial decision. The AOJ needs to review these additional documents and consider their impact on the disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than Level I hearing impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cervical spine fusion at C4-5 and lumbosacral spine fusion at L4-5, as well as neuropathy of the right leg associated with these conditions, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's use of a left knee brace for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is deemed to cause wear and tear on his clothing, warranting an annual clothing allowance for 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. His claims for increased ratings of varicose veins and knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted increased ratings, with a 20% rating prior to May 1, 2017 and a 30% rating from May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite to the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there are no current residuals found.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, which is secondary to residuals of frostbite, is also denied.

The Veteran's portal hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C.,Service connection for essential hypertension is remanded.