Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia. The claim is reopened, but further development is needed as the Veteran's PTSD alone does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's spine injury claim has been reopened, and service connection for a spine injury is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is also granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.,Service connection for a spine injury is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a fall at a VA facility in November 2014 that may be related to his service-connected conditions. The RO must seek all relevant records and conduct appropriate development regarding this claim.,Entitlement to specially adapted housing and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a spine injury and peripheral neuropathy claims that may be related to VA care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left upper extremities disabilities, including tendonitis, as well as right and left lower extremities neuropathy. The issues are related to exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration, including the submission of a VA Form 21-8940 to evaluate his disability picture throughout the period on appeal. The RO must consider referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in any of his four extremities. The new evidence received since the April 2007 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and major neurocognitive disorder was reopened but denied due to lack of evidence showing a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and a verified in-service stressor. The new evidence received since the May 2008 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of frostbite or cold damage in service that could have caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) is dismissed as he has been granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.,SMC benefits are granted, effective August 1, 2012, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to a service-connected heart disability, and service connection for right and left lower extremity neuropathy as due to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also eligible for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain, chronic muscle tension headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve of the left upper extremity due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bladder cancer and kidney removal, have rendered him unemployable since May 1, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied service connection for ear infections, lung disability (including shortness of breath), skin disability, gland infection, RLE peripheral neuropathy, and LLE peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence supporting in-service exposure to toxic substances. The Veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not considered related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including an addendum VA medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for right foot and left foot peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted. The appeal regarding severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, as well as the associated peripheral neuropathy claims were remanded due to conflicting medical evidence on whether the Veteran has diabetes.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The issues of service connection are not addressed by this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to seek out his private treatment records and VA Medical Center records.

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ulnar peripheral neuropathy and right ulnar peripheral neuropathy, finding the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hand and elbow peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinion based on a lack of causal connection between herbicide agent exposure and delayed onset of peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and TDIU. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling additional examinations, and reviewing all evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.