Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disability, to include carpel tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis, and ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence that his symptoms had worsened since his last VA examination in 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to service, including his in-service knee injury. The weight of the most competent and persuasive evidence does not support a finding that this condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and will now address the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's heart disability is found to be etiologically related to active service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for a heart disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is not shown to be etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus his claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand is rated at 10 percent and effective from May 19, 2008.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is rated at 10 percent and effective from February 6, 2014. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied as there is no evidence of symptoms prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus, type I, but not secondary to a pre-existing eye or foot disorder. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptoms for the claimed eye and foot disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, eye problems, nerve damage, left arm neuropathy, and neuropathy of the right foot and heel as secondary to herbicide agent exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, PTSD, DJD with supraspinatus tendon tear in the left shoulder, laceration right wrist with ulnar neuropathy and degenerative changes, and bilateral tinnitus.,The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment prior to April 21, 2010.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been rated based on the severity of symptoms, with increased ratings granted for his right and left upper extremity conditions effective January 23, 2017.

The Veteran's IHD was granted service connection effective October 16, 2007. The RO assigned a 30 percent rating for the disability.,Service connection for LLE and RLE peripheral neuropathy were granted effective June 21, 2012. Each condition received a 20 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn in its entirety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the cervical spine disability and left arm peripheral neuropathy claims, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, attending to personal hygiene needs, taking medications, and protection from environmental hazards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during combat in Vietnam. The right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have not been addressed by the RO.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including residuals of a head injury, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the stroke, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy claims was granted.