Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or cardiac disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral leg and foot disability, including atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy, is not causally related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. As such, the claim for service connection on secondary basis is denied.

The Board granted service connection for low back disability and assigned a 20% rating. Separate ratings of 10% were assigned for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to chemicals during active duty, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities so as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board grants entitlement to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or heart condition. The claim for neuropathy is denied as well.

The Veteran claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability (weakness and axonal neuropathy) resulting from a VA-administered pneumococcal vaccine, alleging that he did not receive adequate medical care as a result of the treatment. The case is remanded to determine if the proximate cause of his claimed disabilities was due to VA's fault in providing inadequate medical care.

The Board has remanded the claims due to additional development and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the Waco VARO.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either the upper or lower extremities, and concluded that any symptoms are not related to service. The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of symptoms were inconsistent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied, with the exception of PTSD which was granted and assigned a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for hypertension, blurred vision and/or cataracts, and a respiratory condition/COPD. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are all presumed to be due to his exposure to herbicides during service at U-Tapao Airbase in Thailand.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with history of bursitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the neuropathy associated with this condition is separately rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and bilateral hand disability are caused by his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, resulting in a grant of service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to conduct further development of his claims, including obtaining SSA benefits determination and any necessary examinations or opinions.

The Board found that no increase in severity warranting higher ratings occurred within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.,The Board found that no increase in severity warranting higher ratings for neuropathy as a manifestation of the service-connected shell fragment wound of the left foot occurred within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.,The Board found that no increase in severity warranting higher ratings for the scar as a manifestation of the service-connected shell fragment wound of the left foot occurred within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's essential tremor is related to service. The claim for peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is also granted. However, his PTSD claim remains pending as new evidence was not submitted to reopen this previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder during service and concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.