Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not become manifest during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The condition was diagnosed many years after service and is considered idiopathic, thus not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left foot and a TDIU have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and COPD, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his active duty service.,Specifically, the August 2016 VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's claimed conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service onset. The psychiatric claim is remanded as it involves a different issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his active service, including due to alleged exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and headaches, to include as secondary to cervical spine disability and due to undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service or due to an unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is found to be the cause of his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II did not have its onset during active service, was not directly caused by active service, and was neither caused nor aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and/or cerebral artery infarct (stroke) with residuals of left upper extremity hemiplegia and left hemiparesis associated with hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference Board hearing. The primary issue on appeal remains the entitlement to a bilateral foot disorder, including peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's prostate disorder was not related to service, and there is no evidence of osteoarthritis or peripheral neuropathy. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent, which approximates moderate incomplete paralysis. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from April 4, 2012 remains unchanged.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neurological impairment involving his right and left lower extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if the Richmond VA Medical Center can accommodate a video conference hearing. If not, he will be asked to clarify his preference for a hearing location.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The development includes verifying any in-service herbicide exposure outside Vietnam or Okinawa, as well as contact with C-123 aircraft.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between his cold injury residuals and osteoarthritis of hands and feet, as well as peripheral neuropathy of hands and feet.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

For the entire initial rating period from February 19, 2008, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was manifested by symptoms such as decreased sensation and pain, numbness, and paresthesia in the lower legs, feet, and ankles at times, and absent knee and ankle reflexes at times. The Veteran's disability picture did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DC 8520.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to multiple disabilities, including the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury that so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The special home adaptation grant claim is moot.