Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease (IHD), tinnitus, right leg neuropathy, left leg neuropathy, hemorrhoids, scleroderma, left eyebrow scar, and erectile dysfunction (ED) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, liver disorder, prostate disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the effective date being November 15, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have been granted, with the presumption of exposure to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability did not have its onset during military service or is otherwise related to such service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was remanded and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims currently on appeal, including those related to type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, PTSD, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional examination and medical opinion to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claim for a back condition was reopened but remains denied due to lack of in-service injury or incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IHD and type II diabetes mellitus are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, which is presumed for Vietnam Era veterans. The neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction have not been addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was denied, and the case is being remanded to the AOJ. The Veteran's service connection claims for a right shoulder disability and neuropathy of the left ulnar nerve are also pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his increased ratings of diabetic nephropathy and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, finding that no increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent since December 7, 2012. The Board found that an effective date prior to this date is not warranted.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome due to sepsis and cirrhosis, which were linked to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 15, 1979 for the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disability preventing him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for ischemic heart disease were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent, effective August 12, 2014. The ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are maintained. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vasovagal syncope are granted, with the latter being related to his PTSD. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions, finding that VA could not have obtained the 1966 report due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran at the time of his July 2002 claim.