Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and his claim for TDIU is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for benign tremors, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision also addressed a claim for increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes was denied as the evidence did not show that the diabetes required regulation of activities in order to control blood sugar levels.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson's disease are not shown to be related to his military service. The Board has determined that he was not exposed to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to August 29, 2007. The Board has also granted TDIU for the period prior to August 29, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not due to his active service, including any herbicide agent exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and chronic sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are met.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as neuropathy of the mouth, lips, and tongue. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be secondary to his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and left upper extremity disabilities.

The Board finds that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death due to accidental ingestion of hydrocodone, and thus denies the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected optic neuropathy affecting the right eye and for a higher rate of special monthly compensation for blindness in one eye is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, which he claims are related to his exposure to herbicide agents during military service. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy.

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

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neuropathy.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Cripple Creek Rehabilitation Center from April 18, 2013 to April 25, 2013 and from April 29, 2013 to May 11, 2013 are now covered by VA as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and left leg neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2009. Effective April 12, 2017, the Veteran's total disability rating was increased to 80 percent.