Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder tendinitis and remanded the issues of right shoulder tendinitis and right ulnar neuropathy due to secondary service-connected conditions. The case is returned to the Board for further action.

The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and associated treatment records, as these may document his service in Vietnam and contain pertinent information for his claims on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disability and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded for further examination regarding left shoulder, back, cervical spine, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as PTSD, were denied. Additionally, his requests for increased ratings for PTSD prior to July 21, 2016, and since then, as well as for erectile dysfunction, were also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. However, these claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.,The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable due to his severe high-frequency hearing loss and associated functional impairments.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to determine if it is related to his military service, particularly due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being obtained by VA, and the Veteran did not waive initial consideration of this evidence by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left clavicle fracture, left patellofemoral syndrome, and left foot Charcot joint, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 and related conditions, along with his coronary artery disease, qualify him for special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted for PTSD, other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and education level, as well as for further examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities are rated at 10 percent each prior to November 28, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,Graves' disease is currently rated as noncompensable prior to August 13, 1981, as 10 percent disabling from August 13, 1981 to March 23, 2011, and as 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's mood disorder with anxiety and depression is rated at a compensable level.,The Veteran's eczema is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection are not supported by the available evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a more adequate medical opinion regarding the effect of his back and knee braces on his clothing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet, finding that the condition is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.