Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to pending examinations and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the left and right lower extremities was not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded three service connection claims: for a back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The remand is due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and diabetes, necessitate regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C is not the cause of his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, spider angiomas, or unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, agoraphobia, and major depressive disorder.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, agoraphobia, and major depressive disorder from February 16, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The DJD of the left knee is also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including left foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neurological, arm, upper extremity neuropathy, right leg, neck, and back disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain in-service hospitalization records from 1976-1979 and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship of these disorders to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination closer to his residence.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, skin cancer, bladder tumors, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during the specified time period in Korea.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion over the ratings assigned for cold injury residuals of the left and right lower extremities. The TDIU appeal is also deferred as it may affect the combined evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected inferior alveolar neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available for incomplete severe paralysis of the nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection effective December 5, 2011. The claim for left big toe amputation compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Board restored service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and discontinued compensation for erectile dysfunction. Service connection for mesothelioma is remanded due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including ischemic optic neuropathy and uveitis in both eyes, was denied an initial compensable rating prior to March 24, 2015. For the period from March 24, 2015, to February 13, 2018, he received a 30% rating based on visual acuity impairment in both eyes.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during active service.

The Veteran's depression is not a separate disability from his PTSD. The right radial nerve paralysis warrants a 50% rating since November 14, 2016. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and tinnitus, is rated at 70 percent. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

Service connection granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis within one year after service or due to herbicide exposure.