Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing the Veteran with notice of secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 50% rating effective February 1, 2013. The Board is remanding the case to issue a statement of the case regarding the issue of an earlier effective date for this award.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the abdomen and irritable bowel syndrome have been remanded due to a need for further verification regarding herbicide exposure. The appeal for these two conditions has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for asthma. However, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not considered service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, which meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate prior to January 26, 2012 is moot as SMC at the aid and attendance rate is greater.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left arm peripheral neuropathy, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus II, has been remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 30% from that date. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 30% from that date. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 40% from that date. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20% prior to November 28, 2011 and at 40% from that date. The Veteran's partial cranial nerve III palsy is rated at 10%. The mature cataract post operative of the left eye is rated at 20% prior to December 7, 2011 and at 20% from that date. Erectile dysfunction is not compensable. For the period prior to January 29, 2010, TDIU was granted.,The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30%. The left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20%. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40%. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40%. The partial cranial nerve III palsy is rated at 10%. The mature cataract post operative of the left eye is rated at 20% from December 7, 2011. Erectile dysfunction is not compensable. For the period prior to January 29, 2010, TDIU was granted.

The Board denied all claims including service connection for PTSD, atrial arrhythmia with pacemaker (construed as ischemic heart disease) (heart disorder), and diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss were also not granted increased ratings.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the left upper extremity disability, including ulnar neuropathy and epicondylitis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also not rated as compensable.

The Board has found that the Veteran likely has peripheral neuropathy that is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy and the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left upper extremity disorder, which he attributes to his military service. The case is remanded due to unclear etiology and the need for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent each from July 2, 2007 to February 23, 2011.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy, which is associated with herbicide exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service exposure to aircraft noise, and his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with cramping is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and heart disability, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bladder disorder, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, and heart disorder were denied. Service connection was granted for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities and hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and consider whether new evidence has been received to reopen his psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either upper extremity, nor did symptoms manifest to a compensable degree within any presumptive period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, or erectile dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus.