Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their functional limitations. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including anger, irritability, sleep impairment, nightmares, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, impaired impulse control, difficulty concentrating, markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities, and efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, and activities related to PTSD-related trauma. The Veteran is granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the period from July 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to her emergency room visits in October 2011 and February 2012. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues include cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hip disability, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is addressed in a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left sciatic neuropathy have not met the criteria for a compensable rating from June 26, 2009 to July 13, 2009. From July 13, 2009 to February 11, 2014, the Veteran's right and left sciatic neuropathy have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The RO has already awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date of this grant is April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and residuals of prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction have all been granted service connection effective June 4, 2010.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and thus could not establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran is found unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a neurological disability, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbosacral radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are related to exposure in Vietnam but no evidence supports this claim. The examiner is asked to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and right foot Charcot deformity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions and whether new evidence supports reopening his epididymitis claim.