Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, and other conditions. The issues of TDIU prior to October 22, 2010 and SMC based on aid and attendance from another are also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee disorders, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger disorders, stroke residuals, dizziness, and peroneal neuropathy. The case will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot since he had a combined 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities from July 2009 onwards, but not with one rated as totally disabling.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a current disability, in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology, or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has found that the VA examination did not address entitlement to service connection on a direct basis and is therefore remanding for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The condition was first diagnosed in 1988 and the Board found no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy within a year of last known exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is still capable of sedentary work.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine when the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work, and to address any potential impact on his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, retinopathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for either upper extremity.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His bilateral cataracts are now rated at 40% from July 29, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The claim for secondary service connection based on diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale provided in the VA examination reports. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome are being reviewed again with an emphasis on their relation to herbicide exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment from July 18, 2018 to April 4, 2019. His TDIU claim is granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless or bedridden as to require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied for the period from November 29, 2018 to July 3, 2019.,For the period from July 3, 2019 forward, a higher rating of 40 percent was granted for both right lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities is dismissed as the earliest possible effective date, January 1, 2019, has already been assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being reviewed again with additional development of evidence and a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, attributing it to herbicide exposure. The case is being returned for further review with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether Agent Orange exposure caused or contributed to the diagnosed conditions.