Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to a lack of recent VA treatment records, updated evaluations for service-connected conditions, and an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's right hand peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent, effective July 1, 2016. The left upper extremity and right foot and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathies remain at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of left peroneal neuropathy disability is denied. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and need for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective October 8, 2015.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains at a 20 percent rating with no increase in rating.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2015.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy (PN) RUE from June 26, 2015, and right lower extremity (RLE) lumbar radiculopathy are all rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated as 20 percent for each extremity. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the inextricably intertwined nature of his hearing loss claim and the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a brain aneurysm, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals through his representative at the September 2015 Board hearing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and effective dates for peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain private medical records, including updated valid releases. If benefits are still not granted after this, the Veteran will receive a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's scars were initially assigned a noncompensable rating, effective December 7, 2010, and a 10 percent rating, effective May 24, 2016. The Board found no basis for a compensable rating prior to May 24, 2016, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetes was rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7913. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus at any time during the appellate period.,Diabetic neuropathy of the left foot and right foot were each rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 8520, which pertains to neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. The Board found no basis for a higher rating for diabetic neuropathy of either foot.,PTSD was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected back disabilities are not found to be the cause of his claimed neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities.,There is no evidence that PTSD was incurred during military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions, including his back pain and neuropathy, to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, heart problems, hypertension, and related peripheral neuropathy and dementia due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be returned to the Board after the AOJ reviews new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 17, 2013, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) was denied. The Board found that the earliest date it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities in conjunction with his service-connected heart disability was December 17, 2013.

The Veteran's nervous condition or psychiatric disorder also claimed as sleep disorder is remanded.,The Veteran’s ED claim is remanded along with the nervous condition/psychiatric disorder claim, and held in abeyance until that claim is fully developed and addressed by the AOJ.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II, nephropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and Charcot.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and right lower extremities, finding no evidence of such condition during or after service. The Board also denied service connection for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, concluding that it was not caused by or incurred in military service.,The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Impairment of Auditory Acuity.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and left leg spasms as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also remanded for right hip tendinitis and unspecified polyneuropathy bilateral distal legs, both claimed as secondary to the same service-connected condition.