Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for subacute peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria and left arm disorders, as there was no evidence of active malaria or a causal link to service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his left foot, wrist, knee, and shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a right foot condition and a right wrist disability were previously denied in December 1999 due to lack of new and material evidence within one year of the decision. New evidence received since then does not establish that these conditions are related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left upper extremity neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, which grants service connection for these conditions as secondary to the diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher level due to his need for regular aid and attendance by another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, are found to be of such severity as to preclude his participation in any substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for calcification of the left medial collateral ligament was granted, and his TDIU claim was also granted. The combined evaluation for compensation is now at 90 percent.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU prior to September 16, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any current left foot disability is related to service and whether any diagnosed neurological condition was incurred as a result of disease, injury, or treatment in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his alleged exposure to Agent Orange and to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature of his psychiatric, diabetes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, adrenal gland tumor, and prostate disability claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy prior to September 23, 2014, the date service connection was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with the exception of the claim for a compensable disability rating prior to March 1, 2011 for left upper extremity scar. The remaining claims are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2007, and at 60 percent from that date onwards. His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was initially rated at 20 percent prior to August 5, 2005, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is causally related to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes-related disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a TDIU from July 1, 2013. The remaining issues were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals for these claims.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent from May 8, 2007 to January 13, 2010 and at 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2010 and at 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 60 percent from May 8, 2007.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 60 percent from May 8, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance is being remanded as additional examination is needed to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection was established for PTSD and a noncompensable rating was assigned.,A compensable rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran's fractured 2nd toe, right foot received a noncompensable rating prior to February 12, 2013 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.,A TDIU was granted effective January 29, 2013.