Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, vision loss (diabetic retinopathy), and a skin disability (dermatitis).

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities are less likely than not caused by a back injury during military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus was not exposed to herbicides. The claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy and service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected status post right popliteal artery release, sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and a right lower calf scar. The appeals were based on residuals of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran does not have a prostate disability, and his current enlarged prostate condition did not manifest until after separation from service. Peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not diagnosed or noted in service records.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to seek a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is currently in a 'mixed' disposition as it involves both service connection and TDIU issues.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for residuals of an eye injury. The Veteran's right upper and lower extremity neuropathy was rated at 10 percent each.,The rating reduction for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from 100 percent to non-compensable effective October 1, 2009 was found proper.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, and his claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, requiring further examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity effective March 7, 2012. The Veteran previously had a 10 percent rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the effective date for his TDIU rating cannot be earlier than September 24, 2012.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and granted it. Service connection is also established for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disorder.