Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to work and considering any period when the Veteran was unemployed due to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service if applicable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and no specific conditions are being appealed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neuropathy of the upper extremities is not related to his service, including as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and/or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature, symptoms, and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as a result of in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective February 19, 2013. His neuropathy of the left lower extremity and left upper extremity have also been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck injury, head injury, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50%.

The Veteran was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities prior to October [redacted], 2015.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims. The issues include service connection, increased rating, and initial compensable rating for his left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2007. Effective July 26, 2010, his TDIU rating was increased to a combined evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disability, and hepatitis C, combined to make him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to his death. As such, he is granted TDIU.

The combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background beginning August 2, 2007.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for reopening of the previously denied lung/ respiratory disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for acid reflux is not established.

The Veteran's service-connected left forearm disability and back disability have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective June 10, 2011.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neuropathy of the left foot, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected stress fracture. The Board finds that there may be a link between the two conditions but also acknowledges potential aggravation by another condition. Additional medical opinion is needed to clarify these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar with entrapment of the left ilio-inguinal nerve causing neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of this condition and that it is not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a supplemental statement of the case.