Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as the left and right upper extremities, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, status post lumbar spine fusion, with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation under the amended criteria.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective October 15, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not conclusively show he was unable to secure or follow gainful employment until the October 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion to address the current functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to service, including his presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and a peripheral circulatory disorder, all presumed to be related to the Veteran's military service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA medical records and to provide him with a VA examination for his hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The examiner will be asked to determine if these conditions are related to service, including presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their functional limitations. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms including anger, irritability, sleep impairment, nightmares, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, impaired impulse control, difficulty concentrating, markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities, and efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, and activities related to PTSD-related trauma. The Veteran is granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the period from July 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to her emergency room visits in October 2011 and February 2012. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues include cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hip disability, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is addressed in a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left sciatic neuropathy have not met the criteria for a compensable rating from June 26, 2009 to July 13, 2009. From July 13, 2009 to February 11, 2014, the Veteran's right and left sciatic neuropathy have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The RO has already awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for an adjustment disorder with depression was granted, and he is now entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder. The effective date of this grant is April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and residuals of prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction have all been granted service connection effective June 4, 2010.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicides.