Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was not granted, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions, unavailability of SSA records, and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for additional development, and his claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also remanded due to the need for further examination and development of records. The case will be readjudicated after all development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, effective July 15, 2011. The condition has caused occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and a skin condition, including dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis, due to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination regarding his upper extremity neuropathy, and determine if he has service connection for intraforaminal disc herniation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and an incomplete medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy in both the right and left lower extremities, as it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and did not find a nexus between his current diagnosis and service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's prostate cancer rating was reduced from 100% to 40%, and his erectile dysfunction claim was denied. The discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was deemed proper, but new evidence did not reopen claims for peripheral neuropathy or aortic valve replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disability, including idiopathic peripheral neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, is related to presumed in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's combined disability rating from service-connected conditions is 80%, which meets the threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if service-connected pes planus or dermatophytosis aggravates the Veteran's PVD and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90%, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, he has been employed in a protected environment and currently earns income that exceeds the poverty threshold for one person. The evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with foot drop is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,The Veteran's residuals of a right foot bunionectomy are currently rated at 30%, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, as well as an evaluation by a vocational specialist to determine if he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The claims for hyperlipidemia, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues include rating claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and nerve conditions, as well as questions regarding tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection for the knee disability in June 2014, which represents a full grant of benefits.