Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a right hand disability and left hand disability secondary to lumbar spine disabilities.,A psychiatric disability claim has also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to November 27, 2006 did not prevent him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar fibromyositis, external hemorrhoids, and chronic maxillary sinusitis have been rated appropriately. The issues of service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and for neuropathy and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities remain unresolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, left leg fracture residuals, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran is also denied effective date claims related to GERD, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is rated at 20 percent. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, have been granted.,However, his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also granted for bruxism as secondary to PTSD, and for peripheral neuropathy of the BLE and BUE due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's CAD was granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective April 15, 2016.,PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's unemployability is based on his PTSD symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as chronic headaches. The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right great toe bunion, and left great toe bunion have also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow is attributable to his in-service left shoulder dislocation, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral leg rash have been remanded for further examination.

The Board found no evidence of Agent Orange exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's heart condition, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of established herbicide exposure and for clarification of the November 2014 private medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether he sustained additional disabilities as a result of his November 2011 right knee replacement surgery, and if so, whether these were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 16, 2008.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated noncompensably disabling as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity, is currently rated 10 percent disabling and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be service-connected. The peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, which satisfies the regulatory threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.