Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

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

The Veteran requested to withdraw the issue of entitlement to service connection for left leg disability, other than peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and his initial ratings for both right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicide agents.

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

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to potential in-country service in Vietnam, need for additional medical examination, and review of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30% rating for service-connected painful scars on his right wrist, left 4th toe, and medial forearm is denied as there was no pending claim or documented evidence of multiple painful scars prior to May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and diabetes were granted ratings, but the Veteran was denied higher ratings for his right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his service-connected cervical spine disability and these conditions. The headaches claim remains pending as the Veteran did not waive RO consideration of additional VA records.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and finds no causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any current symptoms. Therefore, service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and congestive heart failure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left foot and/or ankle injury, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were denied as his claims are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2. The case is now remanded to determine if separate ratings are warranted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to November 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and bilateral knee DJD, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or due to an incident involving a 55-gallon drum rolling over him during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as his combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of unemployability solely due to these conditions.