Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy due to potential new evidence, including a change in the category of hypertension from 'limited or suggestive' to 'sufficient' associated with herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from SSA, provide the Veteran with information about his previously denied claims, and schedule an examination to determine the etiology of his hypertension.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran did not have early-onset peripheral neuropathy and that his symptoms were not linked to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's psoriatic arthritis was not manifested in service or within one year of discharge, and is not shown to be etiologically related to his service.,Service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for further development regarding potential exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McClellan.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and dental issues have all been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the effective date for a PTSD rating, the hallux valgus rating, and the denial of hypertension service connection. The Veteran's polyneuropathy claim is also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for some conditions, but denied for others. The appeal is granted to the extent of reopening and granting of service connection for cervical spine disability and bilateral lower extremity disabilities. Service connection was denied for Parkinson’s disease, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, heart disability, constipation, GERD, neurogenic bladder, TIAs, left face drop (facial palsy), vocal cord dysfunction, left upper extremity atrophy, right upper extremity atrophy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. Service connection was not granted for sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as peripheral neuropathy in both arms, are being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and separate ratings for various nerve disabilities affecting his lower extremities has been dismissed as the claims are moot due to the grant of a TDIU effective May 30, 2008.

The Veteran's current benign prostate hypertrophy, hypertension, and other conditions are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in active military service or for many years thereafter, nor is it shown to be related to such service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to pending claims that will be appealed. The adjudication of the SMC claim is deferred until further development on the pending claims has been undertaken, including a VA examination for housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The conditions of chronic kidney disease, left upper extremity neurological disorder (peripheral neuropathy), left elbow disability (traumatic arthritis), and left arm disability (shoulder osteoarthritis) are now granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, and their impact on his employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back disorder, neck disorder, and peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's DMII is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral lower extremity PN prior to October 13, 2017 are each rated at 20 percent. Effective October 13, 2017, the Veteran's left and right lower extremity PN are both rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran is granted separate ratings of 30 percent for his left upper extremity PN and 20 percent for his right upper extremity PN as of October 13, 2017. Service connection for depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressed features secondary to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates assigned. The appeals for earlier effective dates are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the right ring finger (major) was withdrawn. The Board remanded cases involving increased ratings, service connection, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides in Laos and missing military personnel records from his service at Udorn RTAFB.