Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings of peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals to multiple body parts, including the feet, hands, ears, and face. Service connection was also granted for neuropathy of the legs. However, the claim for peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date before January 16, 2015 for the award of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because the earliest nonfinal claim was her formal claim on January 16, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, right knee arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and shoulder dislocation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to inextricably intertwined increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he did not provide sufficient information about his employment history, and thus failed to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for verification of in-service herbicide exposure and further development is needed. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied, as does service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left hand disability, were denied higher initial ratings. The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's left ankle disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the Veteran's hearing testimony and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and private treatment records. The issues of increased rating for right hand strain, secondary service connection for a right upper extremity disability, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed all remaining issues.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE PN of the external popliteal nerves are granted with a 20% disability rating effective May 16, 2014. The Veteran's RLE and LLE PN of the anterior crural nerves do not warrant an increased disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for an addendum opinion addressing all diagnosed neurological disorders in the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's kidney disability, including chronic renal disease and the need for a kidney transplant, is presumed to be due to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,His early-onset peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the left lateral forehead, left hand, and left ear and external auricular canal, are also presumed to be related to his service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy are granted as presumptively caused by his service in the Republic of Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service connection for bilateral upper and lower neuropathies and right foot gout, but the Board finds that no such effective date can be assigned.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 11, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not require regulation of activities to control his diabetes and thus could not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under DC 7913. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted as he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.