Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's testicular condition is not related to his service.,There is no evidence of right or left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy in the record.,The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was attributed to peripheral vascular disease, and not herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and left lower extremity was denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, including herbicide exposure. The tinnitus claim is being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and service connection, finding that he did not have a current hearing loss disability of either ear. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to address secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and neuropathy of the hands were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, diabetic neuropathy, urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, stomach hernia, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis, but not severe or complete paralysis. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been granted. The effective date for his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy service connection is still under review, as are other issues related to lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not directly related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent from December 6, 1999 to July 11, 2011. The issue of a higher rating for this period remains pending.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy on and after July 11, 2011 is rated at 20 percent.,Effective August 31, 2010, the Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,Prior to August 31, 2010, the issue of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the criteria for assistance due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in permanent loss of use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is warranted.