Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and polyneuropathy due to cold weather exposure. However, the evidence does not relate to the claim of service connection for arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee synovitis. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, and the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs are rated at 10% each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral residuals of frozen feet with hallux valgus and peripheral neuropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, pes planus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are found to be of such severity as to effectively preclude substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity axonal type motor polyneuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum to the VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches were rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2008 and increased to 50 percent on and from that date.,Memory loss associated with TBI was separately rated as a residual of the injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and prostate cancer, are not related to his military service or any exposure to DDT therein. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder are related to his military service, with no indication of undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral upper extremity neurologic disability including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination report.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all granted. The Veteran is also service-connected for retinopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction) result in a combined 80% rating and preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right ring finger disability, including both orthopedic and neurologic components, has been rated at a 10 percent rating since the effective date of service connection. The decision also addressed whether the Veteran should receive an increased rating for his digital neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes, renal failure, diabetic retinopathy, and related complications are service connected. His bipolar disorder is also service connected as secondary to his diabetes. Service connection for prostate cancer cannot be established due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the diagnosis and etiology of the condition, as well as potential inconsistencies in medical evidence.

The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as he is not restricted in his activities due to this condition. Other claims for service connection and evaluations have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hip and shoulder disabilities, as well as his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, are not service-connected. The claims were denied due to a lack of medical evidence supporting a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to dress or undress himself, take care of hygiene needs, prepare meals, manage medications, and attend to personal needs. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not proximately due to or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.