Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is now rated at 40 percent effective May 8, 2012. The Board has granted a higher rating for the diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due solely to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and anxiety disorder NOS.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his elbow and hand disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for hypertension and granted service connection. Service connection was also granted for polyneuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, which are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The diabetes mellitus, eye condition, hypertension, and respiratory disorder claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), right knee disorder, skin cancer, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and gastritis are all granted service connection. The rating for the right ankle fracture residuals is 20%.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The remand requires additional information about the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure in Panama, which may affect the determination of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, liver cancer, and peripheral neuropathy have been granted. Colon cancer is presumed to be caused by radiation exposure during military service. Liver cancer is also presumptively related to radiation exposure. Peripheral neuropathy is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected colon cancer.

Service connection is granted for arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine, but service connection for CTS is remanded. A rating in excess of 10 percent for pain related to the scar, residual removal of cyst, is denied.

The Veteran's paresthesia of the left hand ulnar nerve is rated at 30 percent from July 17, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 10, 2009 for the award of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The issues of hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to outstanding VA records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of hypertension and GERD, as well as neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as due to Agent Orange exposure, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted, and his peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are rated at 20 percent each. His peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic nerve) are rated at 40 percent each since June 18, 2013, and his peripheral neuropathy of the anterior femoral nerves are rated at 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal, nerve, joint, and psychiatric disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 26, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of punji stick injury, left leg remains remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The appeal for a TDIU was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in the claimed conditions, or that any such disabilities are related to service.