Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he was unemployable prior to January 21, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential herbicide exposure in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported service along the DMZ, obtain a request from JSRRC for verification of exposure to herbicides, and provide an opinion on whether contact with commercial or designated herbicide agents caused the Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be examined for his claimed psychiatric disabilities, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, glaucoma, headaches, erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, and any other conditions that may have arisen as a result of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and diabetic neuropathy have been granted. The Veteran's claim for gout has been remanded. His claims for hypertension, memory loss, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbosacral spine strain, service connection for pulmonary embolism, and service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and ischemic heart disease were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes (DM), and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to potential PCB exposure at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate as it did not address the specific contentions of the Veteran regarding her PCB exposure.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right peripheral neuropathy due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left upper extremity disability to include residuals of frostbite claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is remanded.

The Board has vacated multiple decisions related to various service connection claims, including those for coronary artery disease, a scar, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations. Effective date issues are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the evaluation issues.

The Board denied claims for effective dates prior to May 2, 2008, for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), back strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, Parkinson’s-like motor symptoms, DMII, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for substitution purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or permanently confined to his immediate premises, thus denying the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or an account of being housebound.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, specifically the external popliteal nerve and internal saphenous nerve, has been granted a 40 percent rating from January 25, 2010. The ilio-inguinal nerve in both legs is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and related benefits. The Board finds insufficient evidence to make a decision regarding his discharge upgrade, which could affect the effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected disabilities, as well as the claim for automobile purchase or adaptive equipment. The case is being returned to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, which was not previously addressed.