Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's ulnar neuropathy of the right elbow associated with arthritis is now rated at 50 percent, effective from May 3, 2016. The left elbow ulnar neuropathy associated with tendonitis remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, leg and arm neuropathy, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded. The propriety of the severance of major depressive disorder and a right shoulder condition is also remanded.

The Veteran died from colon cancer, which was not service-connected or related to any of his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye disabilities, residuals of inner head injury, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, low back disability, tinnitus, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a left thigh scar, have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rated at 70 percent disabling effective May 31, 2011. He was granted a TDIU based on PTSD from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including as due to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, claimed as gastritis, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and concluded that continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical records.

The Veteran's ED is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. However, the Board finds that he does not have a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and his currently diagnosed aortic stenosis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, and polyneuropathy are all secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right ilioinguinal neuropathy was denied. The Board also remanded several other claims related to the same incident, including those involving cervical spine disorder, left elbow disorder, left forearm disorder, and left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and peripheral neuropathy in the feet were denied due to lack of timely substantive appeal.,A new claim for service connection for depression disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left lower extremity and left foot, as well as for neuropathy of the right lower extremity and right foot. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to sciatica.

The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the secondary service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied as there is no service-connected disability. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (reopened) is also denied.

The Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability due to the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without a cane, meets the criteria for specially adapted housing. However, he does not qualify for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to muscle weakness, vertigo, stomach condition, brittle nails, dental problems, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, impotence, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.