Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the highest available rating of 20 percent. A separate 30 percent rating for his peroneal and sensory sural neuropathy is granted, effective May 1, 2011.

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

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease was denied as the evidence did not show any additional disability warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and TCE. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing the Veteran’s assertions, including his testimony about exposure in service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a 10 percent rating prior to February 10, 2010. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was not rated higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related.

The Veteran's bilateral nerve disorder, including neuropathy and radiculopathy, is granted service connection. The Veteran's scars are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type 2; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation due to potential worsening since the last VA evaluations in August 2014.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 100 percent from February 1, 2012, to October 6, 2017.,The Veteran's postsurgical scars were rated at 10 percent beginning March 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

Your initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been denied. Ratings of 40 percent have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective June 26, 2017.

The Veteran's tremors are found to be a symptom of his service-connected grand mal seizures, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if there is a link between his service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction is not rated as compensable, but he is granted a TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection issues remain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rectal cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities (secondary to rectal cancer), and a sleep disorder. The claim for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. His peripheral neuropathy was granted a 30 percent rating effective June 3, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as peripheral polyneuropathy, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development regarding his peripheral polyneuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hand disability, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist disability. The Veteran is also required to provide additional non-VA treatment records and Worker’s Compensation claim records.