Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied in April 2005, and the RO found that he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU at any time prior to August 2, 2007. The effective date of the denial is therefore August 2, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The TDIU claim may be impacted by decisions on other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, and as a result, the remaining issues of right leg neuropathy and left leg neuropathy are remanded to determine if they are secondary to the service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and electrodiagnostic testing.

The Veteran's left peroneal neuropathy has been rated at 10 percent since April 20, 2007. The claim for continuation of service-connected disability compensation for chronic lumbosacral strain from November 1, 2007 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is service-connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, effective September 30, 1996.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is found to be the cause or aggravation of his left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disability, cervical muscle strain, and carpal tunnel syndromes. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has also been granted as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, effective July 7, 2011. The claim for PTSD was also granted with an initial 10 percent rating. Service connection for the low back disability is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left sided visual defect, to include optic neuropathy, is being remanded due to inadequate development of the medical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy requires regulation of activities due to its uncontrolled nature, which renders impractical the application of the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The RO denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is presumed.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, through his authorized representative. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity neurological disability and right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy do not warrant a compensable or higher rating, respectively.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during his active duty in Vietnam, and there is no evidence of a presumptive connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (claimed as tingling of the hands and feet), sexual impotence, and recurring increases in blood sugar levels were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination data, particularly regarding the extent of the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.