Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's surviving spouse is being provided another opportunity for the claims file to be updated and any necessary medical opinions obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities, including cardiac disability, shoulder and ankle disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder) require regular aid and attendance. However, he is not substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 10 percent prior to May 30, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA examination and incomplete information from the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg neuropathy, finding that it did not arise in or within a year of his separation from active duty and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg neuropathy, finding that it did not arise in or within a year of his separation from active duty and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of aseptic meningitis, as well as TDIU prior to August 21, 2008, are still pending. The AOJ is directed to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and consider whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 1961 rating decision that denied service connection for residuals of aseptic meningitis. Additionally, the AOJ must re-adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, both secondary to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to additional VA treatment records and consideration of a recent VA examination report. The claim for service connection for hypertension was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to an in-service cold injury, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and related conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to assess the functional impairment caused solely by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; a heart disorder; and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted. The claims are remanded for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and assigned an effective date of April 22, 2011. The Veteran's claim was pending due to a previous denial in February 2012, but the issue remained open because he filed a notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities (excluding peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities) is being remanded as he requires assistance with household chores, sorting medications, and driving due to his remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions related to diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a skin disorder, and that there was no nexus between any of these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities due to its severity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which he claims is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA has not provided a sufficient opinion regarding whether this condition is related to his service or to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the inclusion of new VA examination reports that were not considered in the initial decision. The AOJ needs to review these additional documents and consider their impact on the disability rating.