Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions regarding his ability to work, and further development of federal personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran died before a decision was made.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination due to the Veteran's claim of worsening symptoms and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is remanded due to its inextricability with the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 22, 2009 is being remanded for further consideration. The Board finds that the Veteran may be unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD and has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an initial determination on whether an extraschedular award based on TDIU should be assigned.

The Veteran's appeal for clothing allowances is denied because the items claimed (antifungal cream, custom insoles, back brace, and knee braces) are not prescribed for service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied extraschedular evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture with marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.,The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and TDIU claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) due to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Upper Extremity Neuropathy, and Bilateral Lower Extremity Neuropathy as secondary to DM are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no higher rating is warranted.,PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 24, 2017. Higher ratings are not warranted for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's upper extremity neuropathy is related to his service, including any in-service herbicide exposure, or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. Lung cancer is not service connected as it metastasized from a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, loss of vision, erectile dysfunction, and vertigo. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. The right knee disability remains at a 10% rating prior to August 23, 2012 and from December 31, 2012 to April 2, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 14, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) benefits at the housebound rate prior to November 21, 2007 was denied because he did not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities. He had a single disability rated as 100% but no additional service-connected disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60%, separate and distinct from the 100% service-connected disability, nor was he permanently housebound due to service-connected disability.