Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes is also to be evaluated in relation to his neurological complaints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities, which precludes locomotion without the aid of a cane, scooter, and/or wheelchair. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left or right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension was also granted with an effective date of May 15, 2006. However, he is not entitled to an earlier effective date for diabetic nephropathy as the earliest diagnosis was in December 28, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, effective September 13, 2007. Effective dates of earlier dates are not applicable as the claims have been fully granted.

The Veteran's rhinitis and left leg peripheral neuropathy were not rated higher than the assigned noncompensable or 10 percent ratings prior to February 8, 2016. After this date, his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations to address the claims of peripheral neuropathy, systemic lupus erythematous, and malaria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed as already granted in a November 2014 rating decision. The issue of service connection for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is dismissed due to the grant by the AOJ.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted, but the RO denied increased ratings from November 4, 2010 onwards.

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was established due to his service-connected disabilities, including cerebrovascular accident, left hemiplegia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, glaucoma, and coronary artery disease. The Board granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective date, higher initial ratings for trigeminal neuralgia, and increased ratings for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome, postoperative residuals, hypermotility of bilateral temporal mandibular joints, and bilateral hearing loss with vertigo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it was not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, a lower back injury, a bilateral knee disability, and hypertension have been denied. The Board has dismissed the claim for skin cancer due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy related to cold injury will be addressed in the future.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, eye problems, dizziness, anxiety, depression, gout, diabetes mellitus (type II), and peripheral neuropathy have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision was issued in October 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and the residuals of bilateral NAION. The heart disability issue is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated at 20 percent since May 7, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, penile disability (including erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease), ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence to support a nexus between the disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board denied the claim for service connection.