Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board denied increased ratings for service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms. The Veteran's PTSD claim was withdrawn prior to final decision.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as there are no pending appeals at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and to address the Veteran's functional impairment in his lower extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while diabetes mellitus (type II), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise etiologically related.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's optic neuropathy of the right eye is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding several issues, including earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left upper extremity ulnar motor sensory neuropathy, to include as secondary to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease with disc herniation, has been dismissed because the grant of service connection was a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for migraines and chronic fatigue syndrome or SEID. The other claims were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy affecting the right and left upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any point pertinent to this appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service and because there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left arm peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus II.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with neuropathy did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be causally related to his service-connected Crohn's ileitis. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have therefore been dismissed.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated in service, including any presumed herbicide exposure in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, dyslipidemia, and hemorrhoids due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not service connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right orchiectomy.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%