Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hip arthritis, neuropathy, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis have been denied.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service symptoms that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral vision disability and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated. Specifically, VA must obtain medical records from Astoria Health and Rehab Center, Moffit Cancer Center, Dr. P. Hotvedt, Bond Clinic, and Winter Haven Hospital. Additionally, the Appellant should be asked to provide lay statements from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of her husband's conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right wrist laceration radial digital neuropathy disability is remanded due to conflicting symptoms and the need for updated VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied. The claim for right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or earlier effective date for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been remanded for further examination. The TDIU claim is granted prior to May 10, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes. Service connection is also remanded for kidney disorder and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues regarding service connection for Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD have not yet been adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's neurological disorder of the right and left lower extremities, including peripheral neuropathy, is related to his service or any inservice exposures. The examiner should also assess whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination for his liver disorder.,The Veteran’s service-connected type II diabetes mellitus may be aggravated by his liver disorder. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether this aggravation is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his diabetes.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and residuals of hemorrhoidectomy have been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal (erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy) are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The hypertension claim is remanded for a medical opinion.

The Board has found that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service in Guam and remanded for further development regarding his claims of neuropathy, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he is granted SMC for aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's request to restore a 100 percent rating for laryngeal and tonsillar cancer status post laryngeal mass excision and tonsillectomy was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 30 percent rating for status post laryngeal malignant mass excision and tonsillectomy (previously evaluated as active cancer) is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2009 for the grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue is moot as the Veteran was already receiving a total disability rating for CAD from January 6, 2009 to January 31, 2009.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper right and left extremities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.