Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's heart disability. The case is remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and an increased rating for residuals of a right radial head fracture, finding no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for OSA, higher initial evaluations for bilateral ankle disabilities, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's skin rash and sores on head are being remanded for additional development.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is being remanded for additional development.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded for additional development.,The initial evaluation for coronary artery disease (CAD) in excess of 10 percent prior to July 15, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent on and after July 15, 2001, is being remanded. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for CAD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left elbow ulnar neuropathy, as his contentions regarding its impact on other systems have not been addressed in the previous examinations.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 for a 40 percent rating for service-connected right leg venous insufficiency is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced for and against (in 'relative equipoise') a finding that an earlier effective date of November 9, 2011 is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, hearing loss, PTSD, hypertensive vascular disease, and vision problems associated with diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at a higher rate due to the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet, resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining all gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for substitution purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left calf muscle disability, right elbow disability, colon cancer, erectile dysfunction, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claim for a back disability has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine its etiology. Other secondary service connection claims are also remanded.

Service connection is granted for a right eye disability and peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to service-connected hypertension and/or herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The rating for hypertension remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as an initial increased rating for anxiety disorder, NOS, were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's upper or lower extremities. For anxiety disorder, the Board determined that symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating prior to March 8, 2014, but did meet the criteria for a 70% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam.,His diabetes mellitus, type II claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) is granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, lumbar DDD, cervical DDD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right eye vision loss are denied.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,An effective date of August 1, 2008 for an evaluation of 100 percent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted. The Veteran filed a claim for increased compensation on June 30, 2009 and the VA awarded him a 100 percent rating for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma effective April 14, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and seizure disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, artery disease of the bilateral legs, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.