Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected cervical disc disease/ spondylosis is found to be the cause of his current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, warranting a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and additional evidence from his therapist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran needs to be provided proper notice of scheduled examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The case is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before May 15, 2018, or for a 100 percent rating thereafter. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for left lower extremity neuropathy was denied as the disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for scars associated with degenerative disc disease to include IVDS with herniated disc and lumbar post laminectomy syndrome was also denied. The current rating of 10 percent is deemed sufficient.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of private treatment records. The RO must attempt to obtain these records from the Veteran's private providers, including those noted by the Appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and entitlement to TDIU prior to February 24, 2014, finding that there was no evidence of a separate disability other than diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his feet.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for PN of both upper and lower extremities due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not return the required VA Form 21-8940 and there is no credible evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as service connection due to a finding of reasonable doubt in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to asbestos and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for polycythemia vera is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for Graves' disease, left foot plantar fascitis and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy (to include as secondary to Graves' disease), gastrointestinal disorder (to include as secondary to Graves' disease), heart disorder, and right ear hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current symptoms or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also granted for hypertension, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy during a hearing before the Board, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bladder cancer, and lower extremity neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to conduct additional research into the Veteran's potential exposure.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to gather more recent medical evidence and conduct an examination to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus II is November 24, 2010. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for further examinations.