Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's neurological disorder of the right upper extremity, including her post-fracture of the right scaphoid and tear of the triangular fibrocartilage with carpal tunnel syndrome. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted. However, his claims for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy were denied.,Service connection for deep severe pain of the whole body was also denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis as of January 3, 2018, or severe incomplete paralysis thereafter.

The Veteran's RLE PVD is rated at 40 percent prior to May 16, 2019 and at 60 percent since then. The Veteran’s RLE peripheral neuropathy (external popliteal nerve) is rated at 20 percent, while his LLE peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent.,The criteria for a higher rating are not met for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, benign prostate hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to insufficient verification of his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the nature and etiology of any additional residual disability caused by several left knee surgeries, including pain, swelling, infection, and permanent numbness.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The lung condition and arthritis are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for right traumatic ulnar neuropathy is granted as secondary to a service-connected disability.,Service connection for a right hand disorder, including degenerative arthritis, and a right shoulder disorder, including SLAP tear and degenerative arthritis, are denied as not related to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted at 20 percent from December 6, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 27, 2012. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathies, as well as right and left knee disorders. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed to determine if earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Veteran's heart disability was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease and neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents, as no such exposure is established. The Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not caused by Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to obtain SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran was also provided with a new examination for his claimed GERD and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's left thigh nerve damage with sensory neuropathy of the sciatic, external popliteal, musculocutaneous, and anterior tibial nerves is rated at 20 percent prior to February 25, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left thigh nerve damage to the anterior crural (femoral) nerve.

The Veteran is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate for loss of use of both feet. The Board denied entitlement to additional, separate SMC(k) rates for the loss of use of right and left foot as it would violate the rules prohibiting pyramiding.