Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability or right arm neuropathy that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance was denied because the Under Secretary for Health or his designee did not certify that he used prosthetic or orthopedic appliances that tend to wear or tear on clothing due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory failure, with underlying causes of congestive heart failure and cancer of the throat. Cancer of the throat is not a recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, aneurysm, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides while serving at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The appeal is now remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not meet the DSM criteria for a diagnosis and was less likely than not caused by his military service. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities also did not manifest within one year of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for a below the knee amputation of the right leg was at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected superficial peroneal neuropathy, which is a residual of his right femur fracture.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impotence, and PTSD. The case is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

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, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The claim for specially adapted housing has been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as they are presumed to be related to his exposure to certain herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her assertion that her right hand carpal tunnel condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2014. She needs a new VA examination and any relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not been manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with weight loss or other indication of malnutrition, and hepatomegaly; or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician having a total duration of four weeks or more in a 12-month period. Therefore, the criteria for an initial rating greater than 20 percent have not been satisfied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his diabetes requires only insulin and an oral hypoglycemic agent.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated at 10 percent under DC 7522. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the service connection of various conditions has been dismissed as there is no valid claim to consider due to the finality of previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine remains pending.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is rated at 20 percent each, effective November 26, 2013. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not caused or aggravated by his military service, nor is it shown to be proximately caused by his service-connected low back disability and/or presumed exposure to herbicides.