Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the left and right lower extremities, as well as a separate rating of 10 percent for diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's hypertension has not been found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a chronic neurological disability of the right upper extremity causing finger numbness, diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy.,There is no evidence of scars on the upper back. The Veteran's GERD produces occasional symptoms but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for bilateral non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy with legal blindness, right hip disability, and skin disability. The VA will provide a new examination and obtain any necessary medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and opinions regarding specific diagnoses and their relationship to service.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is rated at 20 percent prior to September 15, 2015, and 30 percent effective that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy is rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and bilateral hand numbness disabilities have not been shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post right knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease at L4, L5, and S1, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the VA examiners have found no such condition related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or any related conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 30 percent, and his left upper extremity is rated at 40 percent.,Service connection for neurogenic bladder has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD developed as a result of an in-service motor vehicle accident, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with diabetes mellitus type II being presumed due to herbicide exposure and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus established as a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent since June 29, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection are denied. The earliest possible effective date is November 25, 2008, when the Veteran filed his original claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU are therefore not met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and opinions regarding the onset and aggravation of his condition.

The Veteran's claimed right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathies were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease in service, nor did the symptoms manifest to a degree warranting service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet was not caused by or related to his active service, a service-connected right knee injury, or a service-connected hypothyroidism. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.