Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver has been reopened and is being remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal varices remains denied as there is no current disability or established link to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now granted.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to exposure to nerve agent during military operations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Left upper extremity neuropathy is granted as it was diagnosed in service and continues to be shown.

The Board denied reopening of claims for left ankle, big toe, and foot peripheral neuropathy disabilities. Service connection was granted for right leg disability (including right ankle) and right leg peripheral neuropathy. An effective date of February 17, 2011, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for 20 percent ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to December 9, 2011, is being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) prior to December 9, 2011, is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for optic neuropathy and cirrhosis of the liver, but has remanded the left knee disorder issue due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 80 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity (LLE) and 60 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity (RLE).

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for asthma, coronary artery disease, actinic keratosis, alopecia, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow tendinitis, entrapment neuropathy of ulnar nerve, lateral epicondylitis, and medial epicondylitis are granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis with hallux rigidus of the left big toe are also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and private treatment authorization. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's skin disability (tinea pedis, claimed as dermatitis) and peripheral neuropathies of the upper extremities were not shown to be related to service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not diagnosed until after separation from service.

The Veteran's service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus as a result of herbicide agent exposure is granted, and his service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The issues regarding initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for diabetes and initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy right and left lower extremity were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied, but the Board granted service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder is also granted, and a new examination is needed to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DMII, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of 90%.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides. PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder and GERD. The rating for cervical disc disease was increased to 30 percent effective December 1, 2014.