Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to her in-service events, including a December 1987 motor vehicle accident. The Veteran contends that her stroke and peripheral neuropathy are related to these incidents.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all being remanded for further review due to recent developments in his case.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities, alone, do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board found that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions and that non-service-connected conditions were more likely responsible for his unemployment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye, neuropathy of the left hand, and PTSD are granted. The remaining issues (neuropathy of the right hand and psychiatric disability other than PTSD) are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical impairments.

The Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was reduced from 100% to noncompensable. Separate evaluations of 20% were granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as residuals of NHL. A TDIU was also granted effective April 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea and PTSD are denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating, but the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis and the examiner found that the Veteran's in-service injuries had healed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is restored to a 70 percent rating. The case of an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to decide the claims as the evidence of record does not contain sufficient competent medical evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for a left foot disability, vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disorders, sleep disorder, or psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left foot disability is denied as there was no prior claim filed.,Service connection for vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary herbicide exposure, as he provided sufficient detail in his statements. The AOJ must verify if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service at Charleston Air Force Base.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opportunity for the Veteran to provide private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his back disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, spinal stenosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, and retinopathy has been reopened. Service connection is granted for Type 2 diabetes on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to service-connected Type 2 diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with foot drop was restored effective March 25, 2009 to May 22, 2011. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.