Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right femoral neuropathy was not caused by VA medical care, and the Board finds that it did not result from a foreseeable risk of the surgery. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is considered a direct service connection as there was no presumption or secondary condition involved.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims for arthritis in the joints other than the lumbar spine and left knee have also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition, to include neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability, neuropathy to include sciatica of the lower extremities, and a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence presented by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm disability (claimed as neuropathy of the upper right arm) and residuals of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, C3 through C7. The current 20 percent rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis is maintained.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary in order to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death. The appellant must provide information about medical providers who treated her husband prior to his death, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that there are no current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, lower back disorder, peripheral neuropathy, right ankle disorder, or left ankle disorder. As such, service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 50 percent, and his left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, required insulin and a restricted diet prior to December 28, 2011. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome) was not found to be causally related to his service-connected hepatitis C or any other service-connected condition, and thus denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed, and his diabetes mellitus type II is found to be related to this exposure. Service connection is granted for PTSD with a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, PTSD rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities, and the case will be returned to the Board after review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, bilateral knee disability (to include arthritis), or lower back disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and finds that the prior severance was improper. The Veteran's current levels of severity will be assessed through a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not shown to have been manifested by symptoms analogous to moderate (or greater) incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve prior to May 6, 2010. From May 6, 2010, his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for brain cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, claimed as due to brain cancer, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted service connection as a result of in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for hypertension and skin cancer is also granted due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board denied claims for increased evaluations for right and left knee disabilities and declined to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted.