Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism and peripheral neuropathy of the arms and legs (previously characterized as acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy) have been granted. The remaining withdrawn issues are also considered resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been associated with secondary conditions including chronic venous stasis, recurrent ipsilateral cellulitis, and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which are found to be unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral neuropathy of the arms did not originate in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy as a result or consequence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualify.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicide agents as his condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service. The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service.,The Veteran is not entitled to direct service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to exposure to herbicide agents as there is no evidence of early-onset peripheral neuropathy within one year after separation from service. However, he is granted secondary service connection for his obstructive sleep apnea as it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for higher initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to outstanding records, need for a new VA examination, and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination or opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, with associated complications, is rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 100 percent effective September 14, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 40 percent since July 16, 2014. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological condition of the legs, including peripheral neuropathy and restless leg syndrome, is being remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 3, 2012.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to May 23, 2016 is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for these conditions. His hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable.