Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides during his time at Udorn Royal Thai Air Base. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran’s reports of alleged exposure and provide additional records as needed.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 2, 2012. His initial disability rating for service-connected median nerve neuropathy of the right hand was increased from 50 percent to a maximum possible rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and other conditions that have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral peripheral neuropathy, specifically whether it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion on its etiology, including whether it is related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected back disability prior to May 19, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can maintain such employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right upper extremity neuropathy with damage to brachial plexus nerve has been denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which he could have filed a claim was March 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by the Appellant, and as a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, finding that the conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected eczema. The rating of 30 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied. Service connection for the left trigeminal neuralgia is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's oral lichen planus was denied service connection as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for neuropathy of the left arm and hand was also denied due to lack of any recent diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to new evidence submitted. However, further development is needed as the AOJ must verify the Veteran's claimed herbicide exposure during his military service at Udorn RTAFB.

The Board has denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The appeal is being remanded to further develop evidence.,Service connection for a skin disability due to herbicide exposure is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, residuals of prostatitis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tremors, acquired psychiatric disorder, and skin condition due to incomplete examinations and lack of exposure information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Beginning September 19, 2015, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. However, the Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy in any extremity, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted a rating of 20 percent for the period prior to October 25, 2019 and a rating of 30 percent starting from that date. The Veteran's coronary artery disease remains at a 60 percent rating. For the period prior to May 19, 2015, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all extremities is granted with an effective date of August 6, 2003. The claim was also found to encompass a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus.