Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the April 2017 grant of service connection. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on his PTSD. Service connection for Right Shoulder Disorder and Right Upper Extremity Peripheral Neuropathy remains pending as additional evidence and clarification are needed.

The Veteran's bilateral median neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and right leg radiculopathy. A disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is granted from November 14, 2012. The initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the right leg radiculopathy remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy, right elbow tendinitis, and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine are granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder DJD with tendinitis. The claims for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for right shoulder DJD with tendinitis and service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,Left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy have both been rated at 20 percent.,PTSD from July 22, 2009 to July 11, 2011 was granted a 100 percent rating.,PTSD from October 1, 2011 and thereafter has also been granted a 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for brain disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to new evidence.,New VA treatment records suggest possible Agent Orange exposure as a cause for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disorder, including ulcers and GERD, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after discharge.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as secondary to treatment for prostate cancer, was also denied. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's condition is more likely due to his alcohol and substance abuse.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the rating for diabetes mellitus and service connection claims for various neuropathies. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for polyneuropathy of both upper and lower extremities due to an inextricably intertwined alcoholism claim, as well as a potential secondary theory of entitlement.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 13, 2010 for the award of special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran required regular aid and attendance from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, neuropathy of the face with motor dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, radiculopathy in bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability, and right finger disability, have rendered him unemployable prior to July 30, 2015. The Board granted his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathies, including as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the June 2010 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities cannot be reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, peripheral vestibular disorder, and a headache disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was not addressed as it is not related to his service-connected hypertension. His claim for increased rating of hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, eye disorder, and hypertension are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed cold weather injuries and their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and peripheral neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issues of rating for right knee scar, service connection for residuals of a right ear injury, and rating for PTSD prior to September 27, 2013 and thereafter.