Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, he needs a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and diabetes mellitus with retinopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The RO has determined that the preliminary schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU rating are met, but an addendum opinion is needed from the examiner who conducted the VA examination in June 2013 to assess whether the Veteran's combined disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in his bilateral lower extremities, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, impotence, and loss of vision due to lack of a current diagnosis in some cases or failure to establish a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ulnar nerve neuropathy is etiologically related to active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, are pending. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for high cholesterol is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, duodenal ulcer, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claims of hypertension and duodenal ulcer, but not for ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is rated at 40 percent, effective December 12, 2014.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, which prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a neurological disability of the right lower extremity, manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and external popliteal nerves, related to service-connected lumbar spine disorder. The issue of service connection for upper extremities other than cervical radiculopathy remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, rhabdomyolysis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on an in-service sexual assault. The left wrist disability and residuals of a left arm laceration with left ulnar neuropathy were not addressed due to the remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The examiner found that the onset of symptoms predates the diagnosis of diabetes and other factors such as alcohol use/abuse, vitamin D & B-12 deficiencies, and myasthenia gravis could cause similar neurological symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all granted. However, there is no current diagnosis or residuals of skin cancer, and the Board finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) and 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).