Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to provide additional evidence or authorize VA to obtain any relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of claims related to diabetes mellitus, an increased rating for a right tibia fracture disability, and reopening of a previously denied claim for peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's sensory motor polyneuropathy was granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for partial simple seizures. The issue of an increased rating for partial simple seizures is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 4, 2011, rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete examination findings and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at 20 percent for the entire time period, and a separate 20 percent rating is assigned for limitation of pronation. The ulnar neuropathy of the left arm is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, peripheral neuropathy, and heart condition were all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a bilateral foot disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the lowest available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this level.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological impairment of the right upper extremity, including peripheral neuropathy and right carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for small and large bowel resection, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts, all of which were presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50 percent. The case is remanded for issuance of an SOC on the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; coronary artery disease; erectile dysfunction; hypertension; diabetic retinopathy; any other eye disability (other than diabetic retinopathy); dry skin (xerosis); bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; neuropathy; and a disability manifested by numbness of the hands are not ready for decision due to lack of probative evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes with erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining medical records from November 2010 and providing an addendum opinion by a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no evidence of a nexus to herbicide exposure. The back disorder claim is inextricably intertwined with the peripheral neuropathy claim.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions, including Type II diabetes mellitus and related disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's loss of use of both lower extremities due to his service-connected disabilities warrants specially adapted housing benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, which the Board finds to be a full grant of his appeal. The criteria for higher ratings are not met.