Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran is precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his claims for increased ratings for residuals of post-operative bilateral nerve sparing bladder neck sparing radical prostatectomy and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a cardiac catheterization are all denied.

The Veteran's tibial neuropathy of the left foot was rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2008. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was granted, but the effective date is limited to October 6, 2005. From June 27, 2013, he received a 30% rating.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated at 40 percent since December 10, 2008. The Board found that he met all criteria for a 40 percent rating as of this date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected low back disorder and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to evaluate the current severity of these disabilities, as well as to address the etiology of the upper extremity condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asymptomatic bilateral heel calluses are related to his military service, but does not find any evidence linking other foot disorders to his service. The reduction from a 50 percent disability rating to a 40 percent disability rating for right hand injury with right radial nerve neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has not been shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to service connection for this condition. The TDIU claim will be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, and initial ratings for various hip, hand, foot, and lower leg disabilities are denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and its complications, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment since May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his military service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The Board found that the Veteran's account of when symptoms began was inconsistent with his spouse's account, but concluded in favor of a relationship to service due to memory loss issues. No rating assigned as no specific disability rating was addressed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's early-onset peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected because it is due to diabetes, which is not a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and will consider all evidence before deciding on the claims.