Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is in need of aid and attendance by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper, right upper, left lower, and right lower extremities to 10 percent effective September 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and heart disorders, as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the aggravation of hypertension by the service-connected MDD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease status post drug eluting stent placement) is granted at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claim was based on alleged exposure to herbicide agents during his service aboard the USS Oriskany in Vietnam.,Service connection could not be established due to lack of evidence supporting herbicide exposure or a finding that the Veteran stepped foot on landmass in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye condition, joint pain, shoulder and neck conditions, wrist and hand conditions, knee and ankle conditions, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all potentially related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations due to his inability to report for scheduled exams.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for new medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), left arm peripheral neuropathy, and right arm peripheral neuropathy. The claims are currently pending.

Service connection granted for various disabilities including bilateral shoulder, neck, back, hip, leg, and foot osteoarthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also remanded for anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to his respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran needs to be examined by a clinician to determine if his current disabilities are related to in-service events or diseases, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for dry mouth is dismissed.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and TDIU due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a heart disorder are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated as 40 percent disabling, which corresponds to moderate severity without marked muscle atrophy.

The rating reduction for the Veteran's traumatic brain injury from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his VA medical records and consideration of the issues related to service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to complete the required VA Form 21-8940 and provide information about his employment history, educational background, and income. The Board found that the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.