Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The claims of increased ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further agency action, including determining whether the appellant wishes to proceed as a substitute claimant or for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as due to post-concussive headaches (claimed as TBI), but has remanded the issues of service connection for neuropathy of the hands and feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, bilateral elbow and hip/knee disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and dyslipidemia. The Veteran's previously denied claims for coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective October 3, 2008. The appeal for a higher rating remains under review.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed as he withdrew his claim during the July 2017 Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, pulmonary sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and right lower extremity nerve disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing secondary service connection theories.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary sleep disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his obesity and service-connected disabilities, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his psychiatric disability.,The Veteran’s claim of service connection for a right lower extremity nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee instability with osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.,The Veteran's claim of increased rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran’s claims of increased ratings for depression are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been remanded due to a lack of VA examination addressing an EMG note that does not detect small fiber disease such as can be seen in diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has found that the reduction in rating for multiple myeloma from 100% to noncompensable, effective May 1, 2015 was proper. The Veteran's combined disability rating is now at 80%, resulting in a reduction of his compensation benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and updating medical records. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left foot peripheral neuropathy, right foot peripheral neuropathy, and temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following an October 2013 right foot exostosis surgical procedure are being remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 7, 2009 and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation or meet the criteria for SMC due to the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision found no current diagnosis of hepatitis and that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding all claims, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, asthma and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also evaluated at 10% ratings, with the former being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet is denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is denied as it was first diagnosed after service, and there is no evidence that it began in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes insipidus and peripheral neuropathy of the right leg. The issue of service connection for fluid seepage, dampness, wetness, oozing from both ears is remanded.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities prior to November 7, 2017 was denied. Effective November 7, 2017, a 20 percent rating is granted for both lower extremity conditions.,Both upper extremity claims are remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left lower extremity, left upper extremity, and right lower extremity due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of various extremities and psychiatric conditions. The claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.