Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent from April 7, 2015 forward. The Board has denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support such.,For the entire period on appeal from August 20, 2014 forward, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right femoral nerves are rated at 20 percent each.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right and left leg injuries as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions separate from diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot because SMC based on aid and attendance is a greater benefit.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran’s acne pre-existed service; it was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by or during service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders. The decision does not specify the rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, specifically the lack of EMG and MRI studies performed during the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records and schedule a VA examination for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II, as well as coronary artery disease. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus type II remains at 20 percent. The increased rating claim for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities, including as due to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of other claims, and TDIU is deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and fibromyalgia are all denied as there is no current disability at any time pertinent to the claim on appeal. The Veteran’s service connection claim for hypertension is remanded due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, should be remanded due to a lack of available VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The main reasons for the remand include providing adequate statements of reasons or bases for increased ratings, obtaining medical opinions regarding employment impact due to service-connected conditions, and resolving conflicts in evidence concerning the severity of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of CAD, DMII, and BLEDN, as well as service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy with right eye blindness and severely impaired vision of the left eye, and end stage renal disease. The evidence received since the August 2014 denial was not new or material.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for TDIU. She is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to her PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been granted, with tinnitus presumed to have been incurred in service and the other conditions having their service connections established on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's TBI is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria.,Left great toe ulcer is not service-connected, as it did not develop from a service-connected condition and there was no good cause for non-attendance at the scheduled examination.,Increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening since last rating determination.,Increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are denied due to lack of evidence showing worsening since last rating determination.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence. The Veteran's current major depressive disorder is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, CAD, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to herbicide agents.