Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathies of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since February 6, 2006. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as a neurologic abnormality secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board previously granted increased disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but only up to 20 percent. The Court has ordered a remand due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity and extent of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew all of his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is being remanded for a more contemporaneous examination to assess the current severity of his disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied in May 2011. The Veteran appealed this decision, and the Board granted service connection with an effective date of March 6, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteopenia, cervical spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, left upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating for service-connected lumbar contusion, myositis, and lumbar spondylosis in excess of 20 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's residuals of meningioma, thyroid cysts, right hand seizures, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are all service connected as direct service connection. The Board also granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 5, 2006. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand are both rated at 10 percent each. His demyelinating neuropathies of the lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent each. His chronic ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy, a skin disability of the body and hands, tinea pedis (jungle rot), and PTSD have been reopened. The evidence received since the previous denial supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and ulnar neuropathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found that his depression did not stem from his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a service-connected condition. The left knee and right hand conditions are not service-connected, but the neuropathy of both upper extremities is secondary to diabetes mellitus. PTSD with drug and alcohol abuse meets criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, dizziness, confusion/memory loss, headaches, hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right feet due to a lack of private treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide these records, which could include information regarding his diagnosis and cause of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, which is considered permanent and total, granted him eligibility for dependents' educational assistance (DEA) effective April 5, 2004.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for initial compensable ratings for bilateral dry eye disorder and tension headaches, service connection for various conditions, and a VA examination is required to address the etiology of hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is service-connected, as it is considered to have been incurred during his military service.