Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance of the Veteran's spouse, finding that her spouse can perform all activities of daily living and is able to leave her home.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for neuropathy of the upper extremities and right lower extremity, as well as entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 26, 2016, have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting medical evidence regarding his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of the TDIU issue, as well as the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin cancers, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, neuropathy of the legs and toes, and service connection.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and right upper extremity were found to meet the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity was found to meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating from October 7, 2010, to May 2, 2011, and a 50 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with hypertension effective January 29, 2012. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was denied as there were no prior claims received before January 29, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 20, 2016, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 14, 2017 is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. The VA has determined that this condition significantly impacts his ability to work.,The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD, pulmonary asbestosis, peripheral neuropathy in both legs, and tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of frostbite, hearing loss, or neuropathy in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions. The Board also found that any neuropathy is related to diabetes rather than service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were granted secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2 with erectile dysfunction. The effective date for these grants is August 12, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, nor does he need regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is a result of natural aging and not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder was congenital in nature and did not worsen during service.

[object Object]

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status is denied as the evidence does not show that he is permanently or substantially confined to his home due to service-connected disabilities, nor is he unable to perform self-care activities without assistance.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 16, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration, including the submission of additional evidence since the last decision. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is also addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neuropathy of left lower extremity, and neuropathy of right lower extremity. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric condition claim (including PTSD and dysthymia), the Veteran's current mental health records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for such conditions, and the VA examiner could not provide an opinion without speculation.