Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents, as well as his claim of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is also referred to submit a claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective May 21, 2015. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 60 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease (IHD) was denied. The appeals for evaluations greater than 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left and right lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus type II (DM) were also denied, as well as an increased combined evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, sleep condition, and neuropathy secondary to his right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including chronic abdominal pain, liver lesions, kidney lesions, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and chronic insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain and limitation of motion.,Service connection for arthritis, claimed as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, was also denied. The VA examiner indicated there is no diagnosis of arthritis in the record.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service. The appeal regarding neuropathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was incurred while in service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings of 10 percent or more for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA examinations and conflicting evidence regarding the severity of the condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a left ear hearing loss disability is granted. Service connection for the left ear hearing loss disability is also granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of November 27, 2009. Prior to that date, he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a VA examination to determine if there is a direct service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity peroneal nerve or tibial nerve, and whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during active duty and thus not meeting the presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disorders, including shoulder and wrist conditions as well as peripheral neuropathy. The RO is instructed to obtain private medical records from Dr. Rothman and Dr. Martin, and consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran’s representative regarding a potential aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for major depressive disorder has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction requires an oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet but not regulation of activities.,The Veteran’s hypertension requires continuous medication.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,For the entire rating period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with difficulties in most areas due to symptoms such as disturbance of mood and motivation, irritability, anxiety, sleep impairment, and depression; total occupational and social impairment was not shown.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted following an application to reopen which was received by the RO on December 1, 2009.,The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery disease, status-post angioplasty and aortocoronary bypass, following a claim of entitlement to service connection which was received by the RO on September 6, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as the relationship between his current disabilities and his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.