Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Paget's disease was reopened and granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, have been granted effective from December 11, 2013. The bladder tumors were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a spinal disability, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) file.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his ischemic heart disease is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 100 percent, and the issues related to hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and upper extremity neuropathy are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective September 2018. The Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left lower extremity nerve disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right-side inguinal hernia, as well as to evaluate the severity of his right lower extremity ilioinguinal neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bathroom modifications, including a walk-in shower with safety bars, are medically necessary to provide access to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities due to his service-connected disabilities. The improvements were completed prior to VA authorization but deemed necessary for his health and safety.

The Veteran's appeal for glaucoma and ischemic heart disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity have all been granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension and a skin disability (to include chloracne) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and right eye macular edema with retinopathy from branch retinal vein occlusion are denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to October 8, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 8, 2015 for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is also denied due to lack of factual ascertainability before February 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's skin cancer, including melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, and the sequelae thereof are granted service connection. The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also granted service connection due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for low back disability and left arm neuropathy due to the Veteran's death. The issue of left arm neuropathy was already granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, including whether it is related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8510.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his disability has never resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to between 30 and 60 degrees, or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and severance of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathies prior to September 1, 2014 due to a clear error in the original diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn for certain issues. The claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities preclude him from gainful employment, leading to a TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for chloracne was dismissed as he withdrew his claim.,Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, resolving the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found no link between the Veteran's current conditions and his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.