Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the July 2015 VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed foot disability and its relationship to his active military service, including exposure at Dugway Proving Ground.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The RO granted the maximum allowable benefit of a 10 percent rating for each affected extremity, effective June 19, 2008, and then raised the ratings to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his representative. The issues of rating PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the initial ratings assigned are less than what he seeks.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as he withdrew them prior to a decision being made. The Board also determined that service connection for erectile dysfunction is not warranted, as it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected atrophic left testicle.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a DRO hearing and for new VA examinations to assess the current state of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at the initial 20 percent level since December 17, 2002. The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as of April 20, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee disabilities, or lumbar fusion disability. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as there is insufficient clinical evidence to support this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher initial disability ratings for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are related to his service in Vietnam. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the July 2009 rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error, as the correct facts were known at the time and the RO applied the relevant laws correctly.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including eczema, anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities (left and right), peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, are found to be disabling enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, prior to September 21, 2011, was rated at 50 percent.,From September 21, 2011 to September 21, 2012, the Veteran's right shoulder disability received a 100 percent rating due to his right shoulder replacement.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and the Board finds no evidence that these conditions were caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the appeal is now pending before the RO for further action.

The Veteran incurred an additional disability of right radial neuropathy as a result of VA treatment during the September 27, 2010 lumbar spine surgery. The Board finds that this was proximately caused by VA treatment and grants compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.