Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has not been able to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, and there are outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained. The appeal for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is inextricably intertwined with the appeal for cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 50 percent effective December 1, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion following his total hip replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (brain herniation due to stroke) was not related to service or his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand and whether his PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and other psychiatric conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an endocrine examination to determine the current severity of his diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran also has a TDIU effective June 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left leg injury, low back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides that could cause these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the evidence. The issue of service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has also been raised but will be adjudicated separately.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed Vietnam service and to determine if any transport aircraft based at the Dallas Naval Air Station carried passengers or supplies to South East Asia in 1968.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The preponderance of evidence does not show he is unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 40 percent, which approximates moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that diabetes mellitus required only insulin and a restricted diet, without regulation of activities, preventing a rating in excess of 20 percent. Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and allowing the Veteran an opportunity to substantiate his claimed exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right upper extremity disability, characterized by neuropathy with brachial neuritis affecting multiple nerves including the median and ulnar nerve, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8513 for moderate incomplete paralysis of all major radicular groups. The appeal regarding service connection for residuals of PRK remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus (type II) on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claims of service connection for neuropathy affecting the feet and vision problems have been reopened, but further development is needed before final adjudication can be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously-denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of a recent VA examination. The examiner diagnosed hereditary peripheral neuropathy and opined that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness. Further development is needed to determine if the condition is a congenital defect or disease, and whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence of its pre-existence or aggravation during service.