Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure, is denied as there is no evidence of such condition within one year after last exposure or that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy and cataracts in both eyes is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for the visual impairment associated with the diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder and left lower extremity neurological disorder are not related to service, with no presumption or secondary service connection established.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and ocular migraine headaches have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 50% for the period from February 27, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran served in an area where Agent Orange or other herbicides were employed, and therefore he is presumed to have been exposed. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as the secondary claim for peripheral neuropathy, are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus with cataracts, are deemed to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. From September 7, 2012, to October 31, 2012, the Veteran's scrotal abscess was rated at 100%, and he had additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60%.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities is currently rated at 20 percent prior to June 19, 2014, and 40 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete VA records and the need for updated examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for a decision on the increased rating claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral retinopathy, as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's right brachial plexus neuropathy is rated at 20 percent since January 19, 2013. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of all pending claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not manifest in service, within a year of separation from service, or otherwise due to active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II (including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities), caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for non-service connected pension, service connection for bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was also denied.,No current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was found in the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As a result, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 2, 2011.