Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and diabetes mellitus, require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing himself, preparing meals, keeping himself clean and presentable, and protecting himself from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and/or bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the diabetes mellitus claim was not granted due to lack of in-service manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board denied reopening the claim for 1151 benefits and found no additional disability in the right lower extremity as a result of the December 1990 low back surgery.,The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy was not aggravated by the December 1990 low back surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected recurrent left inguinal hernia caused or aggravated his current left hip degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine disability, and neuropathy of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board found no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or service in the Republic of Vietnam, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left sural neuropathy and left tarsal tunnel syndrome are rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities is not related to his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic neurological disability of the right upper extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was also not granted for DJD of the right wrist as it did not meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy disorder of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to his active service, granting him service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg condition, diagnosed as neuropathy due to femoral nerve compression and post-herniorrhaphy neuralgia, is proximately due to his service-connected left inguinal hernia. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury, manifested by headaches, is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and chronic disabilities of the knees and ankles are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's death was due to ischemic heart disease complicated by diabetes mellitus type II. The appellant submitted a claim for accrued benefits, but the Board found that there were no claims pending at the time of the Veteran's death and thus no accrued benefits were due.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and that the disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, and leg stents are denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his service in Guam. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for type II diabetes mellitus from January 13, 2010 is granted and set at 20 percent. The claims for service connection for necrobiosis of the feet, hypertension, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional evidence, as well as inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to May 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The Veteran's high cholesterol was not found to be a disability for which service connection may be granted.