Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased ratings and to update the records.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not shown to be related to service, and his bladder cancer is presumed to have been caused by exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities had its onset during service, and his current hypertension has been continuously treated with medication. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was incurred as a result of stressors during service and is granted for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's heart arrhythmia found many years after service was not attributable to disease or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper extremities was not attributable to any exposure, disease, or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities was not attributable to any exposure, disease, or injury in service and is denied for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to prostate cancer are granted due to his exposure to herbicides during service at Ubon RTAFB in Thailand.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and right lower extremity have been rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound prior to August 31, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, a disability manifested by glucose intolerance, and obesity. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and headaches are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, effective October 11, 2012. The claim for an increased rating for the left lower extremity remains in controversy.

The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to December 14, 2010 and at 20 percent from December 14, 2010 to May 25, 2016. From May 25, 2016, the Veteran's condition warranted a 60 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the issues of entitlement to higher initial disability ratings for lumbar muscle sprain/strain; left shoulder strain; an initial compensable disability rating for hallux valgus, right foot (claimed as foot pain); and an initial compensable disability rating for hallux valgus, left foot (claimed as foot pain) have been dismissed due to a lack of timely substantive appeal. The claim of service connection for nausea and vomiting is also dismissed as already service connected.

The Veteran's hypertension is service connected as it had its onset during active service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, bilateral cataracts, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as he does not have this condition. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment. The December 1970 rating decision regarding a 10 percent rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities from August 5, 1971 to February 19, 2009 is final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, as well as a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a new hearing via videoconference at the RO due to the Veteran's request for rescheduling his previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's right elbow arthralgia is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it more closely approximates a limitation of motion to 70 degrees.