Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability and neuropathy of the right lower extremity, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his assertion of worsening service-connected disabilities and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and unit records.

The Veteran's left leg varicose veins and left foot peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective April 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional disability claims related to the January 2012 right knee arthroplasty and subsequent complications are remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 2014, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and related conditions do not warrant an extraschedular rating, but he is granted SMC for loss of use due to his disability. He also receives SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss have been restored to their previous ratings effective August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The effective date of his PTSD service connection is denied as it was not received until July 15, 2010. Other claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars from a laceration of the right forearm and peripheral neuropathy from a traumatic laceration of the right ulnar nerve are denied as they were incurred due to his own willful misconduct during active service.

The Veteran's right ulna impairment is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5215 for limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining outstanding medical records and addressing issues related to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral great toes, bilateral ankle disability, lumbar spine disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity, and bilateral hip disability as secondary to service-connected arterial reconstruction left lower extremity have been denied. The right knee disability claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 10 percent.,The Veteran's depression claim has not met the criteria for a rating more than 50 percent.

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2012. The left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent from August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, with two disabilities rated at least 40 percent. His service-connected disabilities prevent him from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, finding insufficient evidence to make a determination on these issues. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.