Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is granted. The Board also remanded the cases of bilateral peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction to be evaluated as secondary to DM II.

The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy (left and right upper extremity) have been dismissed as he has withdrawn these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right leg amputation below the knee as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and erectile dysfunction. The claim for special home adaptations is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for upper and lower extremity neuropathies. The Veteran's active service records do not show any history of neurological symptoms, but he has consistently experienced and been treated for bilateral hand weakness, numbness in his legs bilaterally, weakness in his dorsal and plantar flexion, and chronic leg and arm numbness.

The Board found that the appellant's right lateral popliteal cutaneous neuropathy warrants a 10 percent rating, and denied his claim for TDIU as he did not meet the criteria for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus service connection is granted on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's remaining claims can be decided. Specifically, the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present left knee disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left upper extremity neuropathy, cervical spine disability, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicide agents in Korea and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and his active service.

The Board determined that the reduction in disability rating for the Veteran's diabetes from 40% to 20% was not proper and restored the original 40% rating. The criteria for a higher rating for hypertension with renal failure prior to July 6, 2011, were not met.

The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed condition related to the Veteran's dizziness or leg problems, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. For peripheral neuropathy, while the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in service, there is insufficient evidence linking his current symptoms to this exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and other relevant documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and a low back disability, finding that his conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, status post fracture of the nose with septorhinoplasty, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bladder incontinence, basal cell carcinoma, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a left hand skin rash due to additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury. The Board found that the Veteran meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house. His claim for SMP based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was also denied.