Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is able to perform daily functions with assistance when needed. The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance and denied entitlement to automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy due to his exposure to herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam or due to his service-connected chloracne.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right leg amputation and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, result in loss of one lower extremity and associated functional impairment that precludes locomotion without assistive devices. The Board finds eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, visual disability, diverticulitis, liver disability, and gout due to potential exposure to commercial herbicides or pesticides at Fort McClellan from November 1976 to February 1977. VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and GERD. The effective date for an increased rating of PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to issues related to hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. No specific rating was assigned.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic left ulnar neuropathy, status post nerve grafting with muscle atrophy is denied. The Board found that the disability is manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right peroneal neuropathy, right foot drop, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as these conditions are not linked to active service.

The Veteran's right trigeminal nerve neuropathy has not been properly evaluated due to the lack of recent medical evidence and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted as of June 17, 2016 due to marginal employment. Prior to that date, his income was above the poverty level and he had been employed full-time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right lower neuropathy, left lower neuropathy, right upper neuropathy, and left upper neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities due to exposure to nerve agents during basic training. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining records from health care providers and verifying the claimed exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine appropriate effective dates and ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, previously characterized as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The reasons are that a new VA examination is needed to clarify whether the Veteran has CMT, and if so, its etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities.

The Board has determined that the DIC claim is inextricably intertwined with other claims and thus must be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed herbicide agent exposure during his military service in Vietnam. The VA examinations did not address whether these conditions are related to herbicide exposure, so further development is needed.