Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The issues of service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, obesity, and a back disability have been granted. The effective date is set at April 27, 2012.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective July 18, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially related to his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 22, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of service connection for a lower left leg disorder, including restless legs syndrome and mild tibial neuropathy, remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he was not unemployable prior to January 25, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy and cataracts are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,His peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent since August 2009. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of incapacitating episodes and no visual field defect.,For his diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted from June 21, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying herbicide exposure. VA examinations are also required to address the claims.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either the upper left or right extremities. The VA examinations and treatment records do not support this claim.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction due to service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability was proper.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neurological disorder, specifically ulnar nerve neuropathy, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities has been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that his symptoms warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent since November 23, 2015. The interstitial cystitis has also been rated at the maximum available rating of 60 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC by reason of need for aid and attendance or housebound status.