Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radiation therapy with urinary incontinence; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; and for entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only. The Board also determined that a cerebrovascular accident was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and residuals of a right femur fracture. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also service-connected. However, initial disability ratings are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. However, there is no evidence showing a direct link between the peripheral neuropathy and military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic residuals from bilateral fractures of the feet, which he claims occurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy, including tingling and numbness in the hands, is not considered to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a hearing and his desire to withdraw all pending issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The peripheral neuropathy claims will be considered as part of this process.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities to his active service, including exposure to ionizing radiation and chemicals. As such, the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to July 17, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and service connection for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of both feet, and PTSD has been granted. The claims are presumed based on exposure to herbicides during service in Korea.

The Veteran's nerve damage of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity have been granted service connection with effective dates set at January 5, 2010.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds that his symptoms are more consistent with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is already service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires regulation of activities but no other complications warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of herbicide exposure during service, and further efforts are needed from VA's Joint Service Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's eye disorders, including ischemic optic neuropathy, presbyopia, senile macular changes, and a temporal pinguecula of the right eye, were first manifested many years after service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any are in any way related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the RLE, LLE and RUE have been granted with a rating of 40 percent for each condition effective from May 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and issues related to service connection.

The Board finds it not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected back disability or peripheral neuropathy underwent an increase in disability between June 2010 and June 2011, thus denying earlier effective dates for his increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an arachnoid cyst, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and a vision disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.