Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for an effective date prior to September 16, 2007 for service connection for migraines and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines. The Board found that the Veteran currently has bilateral degenerative joint disease and calcaneal spurs in his heels which are due to his service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertensive heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not related to military service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were noted in a November 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing a statement of the case regarding the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension, are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disorder, CTS, and right elbow disorder to include right ulnar neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that the earliest date of a pending claim for service connection is August 7, 2013. Therefore, an effective date of August 7, 2013, but not earlier, will be assigned for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy has been denied as it is not shown to be related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, associated with right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity neuropathy, is not considered exceptional enough to warrant an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to render him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board finds that the service-connected frostbite residuals did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death, as determined by a VA physician. The primary cause of death was COPD, which is not related to the service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an additional disability involving his right foot following the October 2007 endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, and thus, he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his diabetes. He is also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU issue will be considered as part of this process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lung cancer and polyneuropathy were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or other exposures. The Board found that the most likely cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is alcohol abuse and vascular disease.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy and lumbosacral strain has been granted, with the effective date set at March 18, 1972. The issue of an initial evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2007. The claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn during the hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were granted with initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection, depression ratings, lumbar spine, right lower extremity neuropathy, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities.