Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent prior to July 11, 2014, and increased to 20 percent for the right upper extremity and 30 percent for the left from that date. The current ratings are based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve in both dominant and non-dominant arms.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc/joint disease and spinal canal stenosis, is related to service. He also has other service-connected disabilities that prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Service connection for the low back disability was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, or neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities during the period on appeal. The evidence did not establish a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as secondary to herbicide exposure and service-connected scars, is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, including skin conditions, neuropathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a dental condition. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for amyloidosis due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) and denied service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's claim for reopening a previously-denied claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and other procedural issues. The Veteran's conditions include PTSD, depressive disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of upper extremities, and neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination addendum to address whether the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that more current clinical findings of the Veteran's PTSD are needed to adjudicate the appeal, and therefore, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the listed issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication. The issues include a higher evaluation for neck injury, service connection for PTSD and anxiety/dementia, and SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back strain and assigned initial compensable disability ratings of 10 percent each for right and left upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO also found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or caused by military acoustic trauma.

The Veteran was granted TDIU as of November 1, 2009, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have herbicide exposure in Vietnam or any other country, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The VA examiners have opined that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection in all cases.