Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal due to financial hardship and need to expedite processing of his TDIU award.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a below-the-knee amputation of his left leg, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and other residuals from military service, render him unemployable due to the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.,ED and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of evidence showing in-service herbicide exposure and no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound status due to his ability to ambulate with assistive devices.

The Veteran's right femoral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent prior to October 4, 2010 and 30 percent since. The residual scarring of the right thigh is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities, as well as his claim for erectile dysfunction. The examiner will assess the severity of these conditions and their impact on employment and daily activities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hypertension, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions (diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy).

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy and that any symptoms he reported are more likely due to radiculopathy or short-term heart surgery residuals, rather than service-connected diabetes.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after appropriate action.

The Veteran's right leg neuropathy is related to his military service, while the left knee disability has been granted a 10% rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and a bilateral leg condition manifested by poor circulation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from McCoy Air Force Base and clarifying exposure history.

The Board has determined that service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied as it was not present during or within one year after service, and is not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypercholesterolemia, right hip disability, left hip disability, neuropsychiatric condition (depression), cervical spine disability, bilateral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the knees, bulging disc and herniation, degenerative changes of the ankles, and thoracic paravertebral myositis were denied. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peroneal nerve palsy with left foot drop, to include as due to exposure to herbicides. The appeal is now being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with complications has been granted a rating of 20 percent, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each upper and lower extremity have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence or etiology of these conditions during his military service.