Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 28, 2007. Effective July 26, 2010, his TDIU rating was increased to a combined evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus type II, a heart disability, and hepatitis C, combined to make him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to his death. As such, he is granted TDIU.

The combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background beginning August 2, 2007.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for reopening of the previously denied lung/ respiratory disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for acid reflux is not established.

The Veteran's service-connected left forearm disability and back disability have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective June 10, 2011.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neuropathy of the left foot, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected stress fracture. The Board finds that there may be a link between the two conditions but also acknowledges potential aggravation by another condition. Additional medical opinion is needed to clarify these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his left inguinal herniorrhaphy scar with entrapment of the left ilio-inguinal nerve causing neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of this condition and that it is not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his headaches are rated as 10 percent prior to April 2012 and 50 percent thereafter. The issues of service connection for upper extremity pain and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The lumbar spine and right lower extremity neurological disabilities are not found to be related to service or due to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disabilities did not manifest in service and are not related to active service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hypertension. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further medical opinions and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee arthritis, bilateral elbow and hand arthritis, back disability, bilateral ankle arthritis, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and dental trauma. The appeals were based on a claim of cold weather injury during service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's spinal discectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1, hemilaminectomy, left L5 disability is rated at 40 percent prior to September 25, 2014 and at 60 percent since that date. The Veteran also has moderately severe radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including Vet Center records. The RO/AMC will also request that the Veteran complete VA Form 21-8940 for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the functional loss of use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment and/or special adaptive housing.