Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and therefore entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy were reopened due to the submission of new evidence related to herbicide exposure during service. However, an etiological opinion is needed regarding whether the current peripheral neuropathy is related to service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his service in Vietnam, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD based on a claimed in-service stressor. The Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorder with depression) is secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to new evidence, including a VA examination and treatment records. The AOJ will consider this evidence in their next review of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination, and to provide a new opinion on the nature and etiology of any right hand disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and neuropathy due to his attorney requesting withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision. The Veteran's right and left feet are rated at 40 percent each under the criteria for loss of use of the foot.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employment. The issues of reopening a claim for cataracts, obtaining VA treatment records, and scheduling an examination are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy in all four extremities has been granted, with a 40 percent evaluation for his right upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his irritable bowel syndrome, right ulnar neuropathy, and low back pain.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected degenerative changes of the mid-thoracic spine due to lack of a diagnosis in the December 2012 VA examination, and new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus he is entitled to a TDIU. However, due to inconclusive opinions regarding his ability to work, the case must be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral peripheral neuropathy, left knee disabilities, and PTSD. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and Boutonniere deformity of both little (5th) fingers, rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD alone warrants a TDIU (100 percent) rating, and his additional disabilities associated with diabetes mellitus result in a combined rating of 70 percent or more. Therefore, he meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction as a result of herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate cancer and its associated residuals are less likely than not caused by his in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.