Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right wrist scar is rated at 10 percent, and the issue remains on appeal. The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims due to Agent Orange exposure, a new examination for PTSD, and additional treatment records for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 23, 2014 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his employment history and current physical limitations, he may be unemployable by reason of service-connected disability. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and its related secondary conditions due to potential herbicide exposure during service at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. The Veteran's assertions are consistent with his service records but DoD and VA have not conceded use of herbicides in Japan.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective from January 17, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Codes 8520, 8620, or 8720.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and upper extremities, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and arthritis in multiple joints due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during active service.,Service connection is also not granted for these conditions on a direct basis as there is no evidence linking them to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is denied as it was not caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations for right knee femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the effective date issues.

The Board has remanded these issues for further development due to eligibility concerns regarding substitution as a claimant. The appellant is not eligible to substitute for the Veteran in these matters.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, but has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as service connection for erectile dysfunction. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his respiratory disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral tinea pedis, left hand peripheral neuropathy, and right hand peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves are not rated higher than 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2018 and increased to 30 percent from that date. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2018 and increased to 40 percent from that date.,The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent since February 12, 2018. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy are related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is not related to his military service.