Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities is not due to his presumed herbicide exposure during service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left cranial nerve XI disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest under DC 8211 for severe incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has been found to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. His combined disability rating is sufficient for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and aortic valve sclerosis, as these conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than July 17, 2007 for the grant of SMC based on a need for aid and attendance. The issues regarding increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides and the conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction/impotence are all service-connected as secondary to his in-service herbicide exposure. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was manifested by no worse than mild sensory impairment; there is no motor impairment. The initial disability ratings for both left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand and whether this exposure is related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as well as whether any left foot amputation or removal of a metatarsal are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being reviewed in light of recent amendments to VA regulations regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, GERD, bladder disability, and skin disability have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity peroneal nerve neuropathy, as well as an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to schedule a video-conference hearing with the Veteran.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated at 20 percent prior to April 8, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, sexual impotence, and recurring increases in blood sugar are related to his service-connected conditions (GERD with gastroesophageal reflux disease and PTSD).

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy on a secondary basis to her service-connected right knee condition. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.