Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD. The claim for hypertension remains pending but not decided in this decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease are presumed to have been caused by his exposure to herbicides during service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision could be made.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities on a secondary basis, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to chemicals and ionizing radiation during active service, as well as additional development of the inextricably intertwined issue of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Veteran's coronary artery disease does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2007. The claim for an increased rating is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including addendum opinions regarding his service connection claims and potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 27, 2012 for service connection of scars and facial neuropathy are granted. The initial disability ratings assigned remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, foot, and shoulder conditions are granted based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection with a 50% disability rating, effective from December 12, 1996 to August 25, 1998. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic dermopathy, and diabetic retinopathy with macular degeneration. The Veteran was awarded initial evaluations of no greater than 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, but denied compensable ratings for bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts and left eye maculopathy. The Veteran's case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on his claims for noncompensable ratings for lower peroneal nerves and sural nerves.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for brachial plexitis and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, as there is insufficient link between current symptoms and service. The Veteran's condition was diagnosed after separation from service and is more likely related to his cervical spine issues.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the combined rating for these conditions meets the criteria for TDIU prior to December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his left knee condition and readjudication of the issues of increased ratings for diabetic polyneuropathy of both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected polyneuropathy and whether she is unemployable due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.