Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as he claims that his condition has worsened since his last examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and erectile dysfunction, finding no evidence of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for peripheral neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his left below the knee amputation residuals, as well as the cause of these disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disorder, memory loss, or any form of peripheral neuropathy. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and hearing loss are all rated appropriately at their current levels.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is now rated at 10% as of November 17, 2015. Prior to this date, he was not entitled to a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus type II was denied. However, the Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from June 28, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 18, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied prior to his parole date of May 18, 2012 due to incarceration following a conviction.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not manifest within one year of his service discharge and thus could not be granted presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure. The Board also determined there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether he had tinnitus, and granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for PTSD was granted effective August 13, 2012, which is also the earliest available effective date for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are denied. However, his claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus are granted.

Service connection for hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD was denied.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was not granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at the maximum available rating, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, does not warrant a higher initial rating. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, type II from July 20, 2016. He also qualifies for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.