Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and PTSD are denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis and the examiner found that the Veteran's in-service injuries had healed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is restored to a 70 percent rating. The case of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to decide the claims as the evidence of record does not contain sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for a left foot disability, vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disorders, sleep disorder, or psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left foot disability is denied as there was no prior claim filed.,Service connection for vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary herbicide exposure, as he provided sufficient detail in his statements. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Charleston Air Force Base.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opportunity for the Veteran to provide private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his back disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, and retinopathy has been reopened. Service connection is granted for Type 2 diabetes on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected Type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with foot drop was restored effective March 25, 2009 to May 22, 2011. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, an increased rating for a left shoulder condition, and a TDIU were withdrawn by the Veteran.,A 50 percent rating was granted for migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand two separate claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, both related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's current diagnosis is conceded, as are his claims of herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to use of skin medications and a manual wheelchair, finding that there was no evidence that these items damaged his outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected back, shoulder, PTSD, and ulnar neuropathy disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 4, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA opinion is needed regarding the impact of his service-connected diabetes and peripheral neuropathy on his employment.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for thoracic scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left leg is dismissed. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).