Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities, which he claims are related to exposure to herbicides in service or to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and right upper extremity have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are presumed to have been incurred in service. His bilateral knee disorders, cervical spine disorder and right leg sciatica are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his residuals of SFW, right neck with neuropathy, supraclavicular cutaneous nerve was granted and he is now rated at 40 percent effective May 13, 2010. His claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and possible in-country service. Additionally, all pertinent VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and associated conditions, but her original claim was denied in November 1994. The appeal is currently remanded to consider whether the 1994 denial is final and if additional evidence supports a non-finality determination.

The Veteran's left wrist condition has been rated at 30 percent, and his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to insufficient explanation in the March 2011 decision regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his in-service exposure to herbicides. The case is now before the Board for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and a TDIU has been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated treatment records, and clarification of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's ischemic monomelic neuropathy affecting the left leg, aneurysm with thrombosis of the left popliteal artery, abscess of the left thigh with a residual scar, and diabetes mellitus are all found to be proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA medical providers. As such, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to missing VA administrative records and the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed neurological disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as there was no pending claim prior to May 13, 2009. The effective date of May 13, 2009 is established based on a medical opinion dated that day.

The Veteran's left hand disability, characterized by sensory neuropathy and degenerative joint disease of the little finger interphalangeal joint, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The decision grants a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and numbness in the arms are not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure. The heart disorder is presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.,Hypertension is also presumed associated with herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis has been established.