Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left arm is related to diabetes or another unrelated etiology. The claims for service connection for neck and back conditions are also being remanded due to their inextricability with the claim for peripheral neuropathy of the left arm.

The Veteran's lung disability and peripheral neuropathy claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated as 20 percent since September 9, 2007. The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for left and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy effective December 7, 2013.,Prior to October 29, 2015, the Veteran's lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The Veteran's claims of service connection for skin cancer, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and brain tumor are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy, claimed as secondary to his service-connected total right knee replacement, is not warranted.,There was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities is due to his service-connected diabetes, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, aggravated his depression which contributed to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease, and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, which is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 20 percent since August 12, 2010. Since June 14, 2016, the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent since October 6, 2008. Since August 12, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of the right or left upper extremities, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, Parkinson's disease, and prostate cancer, as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability and kidney condition, including loss of kidney. The remaining claims for peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran is also seeking an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and chronic disability manifested by left arm pain, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for an increased rating for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is rated at 40 percent for the right upper extremity (major) and 30 percent for the left upper extremity (minor), effective March 4, 2015. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is attributable to service, with no evidence linking it to in-service exposure to herbicides or cold injuries.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, knee, hip, and lower extremity neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.