Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The appellant withdrew their appeals for various rating claims, including those related to peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right clavicle fracture, right foot neuropathy and sciatica, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was initially denied, but granted after June 25, 2018 and October 3, 2019.,For the periods prior to June 25, 2018 and from October 3, 2019, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as due to service-connected disability (TDIU) because his service-connected disabilities, while severe, did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examination and opinions. The Board requests addendum VA medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various peripheral neuropathies and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim of service connection for hypertension was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on this need.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's upper extremity neuropathy and whether it is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA medical records from 1982 to November 2004.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence that the condition began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,For PTSD with mood disorder, the Veteran's symptoms were found not severe enough to warrant ratings higher than 30 percent prior to November 9, 2016, and 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's vertigo was denied a compensable rating prior to July 21, 2016 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date onward.,Service connection for DMII and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were both denied.,There is no evidence of herbicide exposure or service incurrence causing these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve were rated at 20 percent prior to December 11, 2021. The evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve were rated at 30 percent from December 11, 2021, forward. The evidence does not support a higher rating during this period either.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link to herbicide exposure. The case will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis and its relation to service.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 18, 2013, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective as of the date of decision. The right knee disability receives a 100 percent rating for one year following total knee replacement surgery on September 30, 2014. An increased rating higher than 30 percent for the service-connected right knee disability post-replacement is denied. A TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 26, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of either knee. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease, cystic kidney disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, fibromyalgia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and hypertension. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as due to herbicide agent exposure in Korea.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to herbicide agents and bilateral foot diabetic neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the presumption of service connection applies in both cases.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided, and thus remanded for further action.