Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and left leg disabilities are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their existence.

The Veteran's bilateral lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar disc disease. The claim for service connection for bilateral lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation, and no medical evidence related it to service. His left foot injury residuals were rated based on moderate limitation of motion of the ankle. The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities were rated based on incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance between September 2007 and his death. The case is therefore REMANDED for such development.

The Veteran's appeal of his TDIU claim prior to November 2012 is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on this issue, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction. The conditions were not shown to be related to his active service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, lumbar disc disease, L5-S1 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, impotence, and cataracts are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or connection to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and hypertension, both claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is causing his headaches. His initial rating for the cervical spine was denied, but he received a higher rating from December 28, 2010 onwards. He also receives a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the disorder. The Veteran also does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as his impairment is primarily caused by non-service connected knee issues.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability, which resulted from surgery conducted on October 18, 2004 at the Huntington VA Medical Center. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current condition is related to the VA treatment or an unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as of March 21, 2011. The Veteran's condition is characterized by moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.