Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore grants a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

For the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran's left foot drop with neuropathy associated with osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis status post discectomy with lumbar IVDS was rated at 20 percent.,For the period on or after August 15, 2014, the Veteran's left foot drop with neuropathy associated with osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis status post discectomy with lumbar IVDS was not rated higher than 60 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not so severely disabling as to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his diabetes, which in turn caused diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. As such, both conditions are granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, partial left median neuropathy, and skin disorders, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathy was proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hand disabilities were not incurred during or as a result of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service. The other claims are not addressed as they were not adjudicated by the Board.

The Veteran's death was caused by arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The appellant is recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse and thus eligible for DIC benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been fully resolved as their claim was granted in a March 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arthritis of the knees, bilateral foot condition, asthma, melanoma, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy involving all four extremities has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy or other neurologic symptoms of the extremities, claimed as secondary to her service-connected benign brain tumor, was denied. Her claims for increased evaluations for PTSD and residuals of a benign brain tumor were also denied.

The Veteran's death was not deemed to be service-connected, and the appellant did not apply for SDVI/RH insurance within two years of receiving notification of his VA rating. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran was mentally incompetent from a service-connected disability at any relevant point in time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the lower or upper extremities, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a skin disorder, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and atopic dermatitis have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the rib cage has not resulted in any symptoms or impairment during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy involving each lower extremity is currently rated as moderate and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right and left elbow disabilities.