Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining outstanding private treatment records and VA treatment records, to include from Dr. T.S., and for readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for any condition.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not meet the required severity levels for higher ratings and his diabetes mellitus did not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Veteran is granted a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to loss of use of both hands, resulting from service-connected peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities.

The Board denied service connection for left foot and right foot neuropathy due to cold weather exposure, as the evidence did not support a link between in-service cold exposure and the current diagnoses. The claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status was also denied because the Veteran's 100% disability rating was not based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for bilateral neurological disability of the upper and lower extremities, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings have been denied. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with CTS is rated at 40 percent, effective October 2, 2015. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with CTS was initially rated at 30 percent prior to October 13, 2017, and then increased to 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral plantar neuropathy is related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy to the bilateral upper extremities due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of an inguinal hernia.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes and remanded the issues of service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE). The Veteran's diabetes is being examined further to determine if it existed prior to active duty or was aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to procedural issues. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, and deep vein thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral NAION is not caused by VA medical treatment, and therefore compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person on a daily basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, right leg peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its related conditions, as well as erectile dysfunction and a vascular condition. The Veteran's representative requested additional records from the Grand Island Nebraska VA Medical Center to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his disabilities has been withdrawn by his attorney.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disability and vitiligo were granted service connection, with the effective date for vitiligo set at August 9, 1995. The hand disability was denied as not related to service.