Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability claimed as chloracne was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent since March 14, 2014. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma, as due to exposure to herbicides, is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current disability for VA purposes and his cancer was causally or etiologically related to his in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral sensory neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and a need to obtain additional information about his hospitalization at Camp Pendleton. The Board will attempt to reconstruct the claims file, seek any missing documents, and schedule VA examinations if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various conditions, including CLL and diabetes. The Board has ordered additional development to address the sufficiency of evidence regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, effective from August 12, 2014. The effective date is not earlier than November 30, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, skin disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The evidence did not establish exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is currently pending. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right shoulder reverse total arthroscopy was not related to his service-connected right shoulder residuals of tendonitis and myositis. The claim for a temporary total disability rating following the surgery is denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from March 26, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including peripheral neuropathy and onychomycosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining English translations of Spanish documents and treatment records from the San Juan VAMC. A VA examination will be scheduled to evaluate his diabetes with hypertension and nephropathy condition, as well as a nerve examination to determine which nerves were impacted in April/May 2010.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities cannot be earlier than August 20, 2010 due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 25, 2012. The initial rating for PTSD was increased from 10 percent to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions prior to August 7, 2013.