Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of recent VA treatment records, the need for a contemporaneous VA examination, and the possibility that additional evidence may affect the outcome.

The Board denied service connection for right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence showing early onset or etiological relationship with service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's right arm disability (right carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy) was previously rated at 20 percent. The RO has remanded the case for a new examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy, heart condition, subfascial lipoma of the back, PTSD, and hiatal hernia and gastritis are all granted. The Veteran is also granted to reopen his claim for service connection for LUE peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and TDIU claims, leaving no issues remaining before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel, and scarring. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability and neuropathy of the right lower extremity, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his assertion of worsening service-connected disabilities and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and unit records.

The Veteran's left leg varicose veins and left foot peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective April 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional disability claims related to the January 2012 right knee arthroplasty and subsequent complications are remanded for further evaluation, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 2014, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and related conditions do not warrant an extraschedular rating, but he is granted SMC for loss of use due to his disability. He also receives SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss have been restored to their previous ratings effective August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The effective date of his PTSD service connection is denied as it was not received until July 15, 2010. Other claims have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars from a laceration of the right forearm and peripheral neuropathy from a traumatic laceration of the right ulnar nerve are denied as they were incurred due to his own willful misconduct during active service.

The Veteran's right ulna impairment is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5215 for limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or arthritis.