Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The VA medical providers exercised the expected degree of skill and care in treating the Veteran's right knee, but his foot drop and joint instability were known complications that occurred as a result of the surgery. The Veteran received informed consent regarding potential risks.

The Veteran's muscle strain of the back with low back pain was granted a 10% evaluation prior to August 14, 2007 and denied an evaluation in excess of 20%. The right carpal tunnel neuropathy was granted a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine discogenic disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are considered, but his TDIU claim is being remanded for further review due to conflicting opinions regarding his employability.

The Board found no current diagnosis of bilateral radial sensory neuropathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the severance of service connection for various peripheral neuropathies associated with type II diabetes mellitus was not proper, as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the original determinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the RO. The issues include service connection for chronic pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, and reopening of a previously denied claim for peripheral and polyneuropathy.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for neuropathy and granted it, as new evidence was received that relates to a current diagnosis. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in the Veteran's service, and thus did not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure. The Board also determined that diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and neuropathies of the lower extremities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a hearing should be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

The Veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy has been productive of moderate incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal (common peroneal) or sciatic nerves throughout the appeal period, but severe or moderately severe incomplete paralysis has not been demonstrated by the record. The Board finds a disability rating of 20 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure, but his claims for colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy, and blood cancer (polycythemia) are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a PTSD examination, and completing a VA social and industrial survey.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ulna neuropathy was caused by his service-connected degenerative joint disease, cervical spine with central canal stenosis at C7-T1.,The Board also finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's degenerative joint disease, cervical spine with central canal stenosis at C7-T1 was caused by his service-connected disability of degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine and fractures of the pelvis.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted, with a current evaluation of 60 percent effective August 1, 2013. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated as 20 percent disabling since September 22, 2011.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus requires insulin use but does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA medical examination and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tachycardia (heart problems) and hypertension as they were withdrawn by the appellant during his hearing. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, type II are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity and impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the right upper extremity has been granted a 70 percent evaluation since January 20, 2016. His neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 60 percent effective that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected bilateral compartment syndrome, but denied service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity as there was no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities prior to October 5, 2015 were granted by a March 2016 rating decision. The appeal was dismissed due to the absence of a controversy at issue and withdrawal of appeal.