Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the service treatment records are incomplete and additional attempts should be made to obtain them. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to exposure to jet fuel during active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent TBI residuals and recurrent right eye injury residuals including traumatic retrobulbar optic neuropathy, as well as entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), including as due to herbicide exposure. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand sensory deficits are at least as likely as not caused by his service, and therefore grants service connection for median nerve neuropathy of the right hand.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss effective March 5, 2014. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder and leg pain and neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to a need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his in-country Vietnam service and obtain additional medical records. The Board will also schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disability and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran does not have a neurological disability of either upper extremity, to include carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy, that was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left upper extremity weakness with peripheral neuropathy prior to September 15, 2009. The case is now remanded due to failure to consider certain medical records and provide an adequate explanation.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus granted.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 40 percent for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities associated with service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was denied. The Board found that he does not have a current diagnosis or persistent/recurrent symptoms of such disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to herbicides. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and associated complications, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to manage his insulin pump and administer insulin.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran had qualifying service in Vietnam for the purpose of the herbicide presumption, and thus granted service connection for his type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis. However, further development is needed as neuropathy of upper and lower extremities are still under consideration.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the right upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 30 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy in the median nerve of the left upper extremity has resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to December 13, 2004, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and arthritis, are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not establish exposure to herbicides or any other form of in-service injury or disease that could lead to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were denied. The initial ratings assigned upon the award of service connection have been found inadequate.

The Veteran seeks service connection for idiopathic neuropathy, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure. The Board has determined that the presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure may apply in this case, but further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if early-onset peripheral neuropathy qualifies as a condition covered by the presumption.