Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including early diabetes mellitus type II (DM-II), diabetic nephropathy associated with DM-II, supraventricular and ventricular ectopy associated with DM-II, mild sensory peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, appendectomy scar, and erectile dysfunction associated with DM-II, are deemed to be sufficient for a TDIU. However, the VA examinations conducted in 2008 do not address the impact of these disabilities on his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining leave and pay records from August through December 1967 to verify the appellant's service in Vietnam. The claims for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, facial neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's prostate disability may be presumed to have been caused by his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. However, the claim for peripheral neuropathy is not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed eye conditions are not related to his military service or his service-connected diabetes. The low back disability, metatarsalgia, hearing loss, and tinnitus have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral ulnar neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to service. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service injuries were outweighed by findings from his March 1967 VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional compensation for a dependent spouse, finding that the earliest possible effective date is September 14, 2009.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The heart disorder is presumed to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is found to be due to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at a 20 percent evaluation, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8612 for incomplete neuritis of the lower radicular group.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for peripheral neuropathy associated with residuals, antrectomy, vagotomy, and gastrojejunostomy due to duodenal ulcer has been resolved by the May 2014 decision awarding separate noncompensable ratings for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs from the Veteran's Reserve service and arranging for VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his herbicide exposure in service, specifically Agent Orange.

The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his bowel and bladder incontinence related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and a VA vocational specialist examination to assess the impact of his disabilities on his employability.