Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 for a 40 percent rating for service-connected right leg venous insufficiency is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced for and against (in 'relative equipoise') a finding that an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, hearing loss, PTSD, hypertensive vascular disease, and vision problems associated with diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining all gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for substitution purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left calf muscle disability, right elbow disability, colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claim for a back disability has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine its etiology. Other secondary service connection claims are also remanded.

Service connection is granted for a right eye disability and peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to service-connected hypertension and/or herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as an initial increased rating for anxiety disorder, NOS, were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's upper or lower extremities. For anxiety disorder, the Board determined that symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating prior to March 8, 2014, but did meet the criteria for a 70% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam.,His diabetes mellitus, type II claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,An effective date of August 1, 2008 for an evaluation of 100 percent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted. The Veteran filed a claim for increased compensation on June 30, 2009 and the VA awarded him a 100 percent rating for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma effective April 14, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a secondary service connection based on pre-existing disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the presumption that exposure to herbicides in Vietnam during service may cause early-onset peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as secondary to diabetes mellitus II. Additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the symptoms are due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy or other conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for hearing loss. Additional development is required due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, headaches, left lower extremity neuropathy, a sciatic nerve condition of the right leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding SSA records.