Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened, and he is now rated at 30 percent for CTS of the right wrist. He also received increased ratings for PN of the LLE and RLE sciatic nerves.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities or need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's SMC claims are remanded for further development and adjudication, including a VA examination to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional verification of his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as his appeal to restore the 60 percent rating for ischemic heart disease effective February 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss disability and TDIU, as well as his service-connected conditions. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's left upper extremity median nerve neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they more closely approximate a 20 percent rating for moderate incomplete paralysis. The TDIU claim is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has ordered the remand of several issues including neurological disorders, psychiatric disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine if he has lower extremity disorders or erectile dysfunction as complications of his service-connected diabetes. Additionally, the TDIU claim is intertwined with the remanded diabetes rating claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for RUE and LUE neuropathy, as well as the claim for service connection for headaches. The Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current conditions and their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left arm neuropathy, and low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The reduction of the disability rating for right leg varicose veins from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper, and restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted. The issues of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for total arthroplasty of the left shoulder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various peripheral neuropathies and PTSD are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination, and address issues related to the Veteran's theories of etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran asserts that his peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service Agent Orange exposure. However, there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year of discharge from service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right below-the-knee amputation and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 16, 2016. The effective date for TDIU is set at this date.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his diabetes rather than a thumb injury from service.