Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The case is being returned for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition, diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide exposure, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back condition remains pending.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's left foot peripheral neuropathy and a 10% rating for his right foot peripheral neuropathy, both of which are residuals from cold injury. The ratings reflect the severity of symptoms including pain, numbness, and absent reflexes.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with secondary arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain such an opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the highest available rating of 20 percent. A separate 30 percent rating for his peroneal and sensory sural neuropathy is granted, effective May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for service-connected ischemic heart disease was denied as the evidence did not show any additional disability warranting a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and TCE. The VA must obtain a new opinion addressing the Veteran’s assertions, including his testimony about exposure in service.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted a 10 percent rating prior to February 10, 2010. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was not rated higher than 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related.

The Veteran's bilateral nerve disorder, including neuropathy and radiculopathy, is granted service connection. The Veteran's scars are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type 2; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation due to potential worsening since the last VA evaluations in August 2014.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease was rated at 100 percent from February 1, 2012, to October 6, 2017.,The Veteran's postsurgical scars were rated at 10 percent beginning March 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating.

Your initial increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been denied. Ratings of 40 percent have been granted for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective June 26, 2017.

The Veteran's tremors are found to be a symptom of his service-connected grand mal seizures, and the Board has granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. The case will be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine if there is a link between his service and these conditions.