Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding herbicide exposure at Takhli RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease, have met the criteria for a TDIU since April 1, 2012. The claim is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and heart disability are not service connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential aggravation by service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but he is otherwise able to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment despite service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for a muscle cramp disability over the flank region. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete clinical records and the need for a neurological examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the claimed peripheral neuropathy of both feet. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological impairment involving both lower extremities did not begin in service and is not otherwise caused by his military service. The Board also found that the disability is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA neurology examination to assess the Veteran's left median neuropathy and its impact on her upper extremities. The claims will be readjudicated in light of the additional evidence.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, right knee condition, hernia, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, tooth decay and gum disease, and tinnitus are not etiologically related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's headaches were found to have been incurred in service. Service connection was granted for this condition. The status of the other issues is pending as further evaluation and evidence are needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced symptoms consistent with peripheral neuropathy during his military service, which is sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's chloracne is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including CAD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and PVD, all as not being causally connected to active service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been rated at the minimum level, with no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted, with effective dates of June 12, 2015.,A factually ascertainable increase in severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is noted in the Disability Benefits Questionnaire received on June 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist peripheral neuropathy prior to October 17, 2016 are being remanded due to inadequate consideration of relevant medical evidence. The Board will provide a new VA examination to address the clinical significance of this evidence.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not shown to have been caused by VA care or treatment, and the acquired psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to his active duty service.,The Veteran has not established entitlement to compensation for a disease or injury under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, so entitlement to compensation on a secondary basis for an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be established.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as it was not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service connected disease or disability.,Service connection for a headache disorder is granted as the condition is proximately due, at least in part, to the service-connected cervical spine disability.