Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities. The increased rating, SMC, and TDIU claims are remanded as the Veteran's private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his request for TDIU was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected foot disability. The case will be returned to VA for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and physical disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are incomplete and remands for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his low back disability, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to reopen and for diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder peripheral neuropathy and paresthesias are not service-connected, as the VA examiner found no causal relationship between his service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome. The TDIU claim was denied due to lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical neuropathy because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The initial rating of 50 percent effective November 25, 2015, was appropriate, and a higher initial rating is not warranted during this time period.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted with an initial 70 percent rating effective June 3, 2016.

The Veteran's right-hand Dupuytren's contracture was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected right ring and little fingers.,Service connection for left-hand osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to inadequate examination findings regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, chronic anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), type II diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back disability is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the remand directives and thus, a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea, Grave's disease, and bowel disability (diverticulosis and functional gastrointestinal disorder) are also not service connected due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes, which has been granted as a result of the Board finding persuasive evidence of diabetic polyneuropathy in all extremities.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development regarding peripheral neuropathy and chemical burns, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied due to his failure to attend a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as there is insufficient information regarding his employment history and earnings.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is found to be the cause of his peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities. Service connection for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted, while the claim for a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome remains denied.