Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and sensory fiber neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The appeals are now remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's work duties were not clearly documented as placing him near the perimeter of Udorn Air Force Base.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,There is no current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. The Veteran has hypertension which predates his diabetes and there is no evidence of ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's increased rating for PTSD claim is granted with a disability rating of 100% effective August 15, 2017.,Service connection for hypothyroidism and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder disability and his peripheral neuropathy affecting his upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right legs, as they may be related to in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The issues are being addressed due to a lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower sciatic and anterior crural nerves is being remanded due to unclear nature and severity of his symptoms, including hip and thigh pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during service, but further clarification on his exposure at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetic nephropathy has been denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to November 13, 2015 have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus, the claims for service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy and a right shoulder disability are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has been granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective from December 16, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and for a compensable rating for migraine headaches due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the presence and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity peroneal nerve palsy, as well as atrial fibrillation. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to herbicide exposure or malaria.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including shrapnel wounds of the left leg and back, liver condition, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, adrenal gland cyst, and thyroid disease. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as these conditions are presumed to be due to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance, nor was he considered to be housebound.,The Veteran's application for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was also denied due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).

The Veteran's lumbar disc syndrome and sciatic neuropathy were denied increased ratings, with the exception of a separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities as of January 24, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations and insufficient medical opinions.,The Veteran asserts that his conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions on whether the Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy is proximately due or aggravated by service-connected conditions. The Veteran will be asked to provide updated private treatment records, and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be requested.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and associated complications, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions.