Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was denied. The claims for increased ratings for left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as the TDIU claim, were all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the Veteran is able to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral foot disorders including neuropathic foot pain and small fiber sensory neuropathy, as well as the claim for TDIU due to these disabilities. The case is being returned to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neurological disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to be the result of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The Board granted service connection for this condition. Other issues related to ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, is granted. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including residuals of frostbite and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to radiation during service. The AOJ is required to complete all development needed to obtain any available records concerning the Veteran’s reported in-service exposure to radiation from the appropriate source, followed by an attempt to obtain a dose estimate.

The Veteran's frostbite and peripheral neuropathy conditions have been rated appropriately, but further development is needed for the right lower extremity and left lower extremity ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred during wartime service. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right and left lower extremities due to inadequate examinations and lack of rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his residuals, status post fracture of the distal phalanges, of the right ring finger is denied. The Board also ordered a remand for further examination to determine if the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is related to service or secondary to his service-connected residuals, right ring finger laceration.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including TBI, back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy, and neuropathy. The decision is pending further development of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, osteoporosis, COPD, vasculitis, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is dismissed. The application to reopen the claim for service connection for left lower extremity arthritis and left knee disorder, as well as left lower extremity nerve/neuropathy damage, is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected median nerve neuropathy of the right hand has precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since May 2, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU rating on a schedular basis from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, effective from December 22, 2017. The rating assigned is 90 percent combined disability rating.