Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination. The Veteran is required to be provided another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed peripheral neuropathy disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for left lower extremity with diabetic neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and clarification of symptoms attributable to each nerve group.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service records and need for further clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA examiner will be asked to address whether any diagnosed conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete development. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has denied the reopening of multiple previously denied claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating greater than 30 percent.,Specifically, the VA examinations and medical records indicated that none of the Veteran’s conditions met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal seeking attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a July 2019 rating decision is dismissed because the RO has already granted entitlement to attorney fees from those benefits.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and right lower extremity, as well as an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's neurological symptoms affecting his right lower extremity were found to be due to a non-service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol and its related conditions, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic sclerosis, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, pulmonary granulomatous, bilateral pleural fibrosis, chronic right shoulder pain, upper extremity neuropathies, easy bruising, GERD, skin cancer, adrenal adenomas, colon polyps, enlarged prostate, and perforated tympanic membrane are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, jaw condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, and infertility. The AOJ/RO must obtain VA treatment records from 1977 and 1978, as well as VA examination reports from February 1997, November 2007, and January 2008. They are also required to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issues of right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, initial compensable rating for left lower extremity meralgia paresthetica, increased rating for eustachian tube dysfunction, and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeal as there is no overpayment of VA benefits, and the recoupment of her military disability severance pay from her VA disability compensation is required by law.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, liver disease, low back disability, and sleep apnea, all claimed as secondary to service-connected encephalitis. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by or caused by the service-connected encephalitis.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his military service. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and non-small cell carcinoma, do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, effective February 22, 2019.,The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, effective February 22, 2019.,The Veteran's temporomandibular displaced disc is rated at 30 percent, effective February 22, 2019.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for PTSD, and a compensable rating for his right ring finger disability. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was remanded.

The Board granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries involving the hands and feet but denied service connection for all other conditions.