Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, has been reopened and is granted. The claim for a disability of the lower left leg remains denied. An increased rating for a residual scar on the left buttock was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot osteoarthritis is service-connected, but his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, chronic foot infection, and rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence now supports these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, is related to his military service. Service connection is granted for this condition. No other conditions are found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been manifested by mild, incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group, warranting a 20 percent disability rating for each arm.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has not been manifested by symptoms that warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent since March 7, 2014 and April 8, 2015 respectively.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on both schedular and extra-schedular bases, effective from November 11, 2016. Prior to that date, the Board found insufficient evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy (heart conditions), diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, including those for diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and retinopathy. The claim for a TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is rated at 40 percent prior to November 12, 2011 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent rating were more nearly approximated based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is secondary to monoclonal gammopathy and had its onset in 2014. The claim was granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeals regarding increased ratings for disabilities affecting the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thyroid disability with parotid gland, pernicious anemia, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with angina, gastroporesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, and the Board grants a TDIU.