Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to service and has been granted. The remaining claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and automobile claim are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence supports the Veteran's assertions that his vertigo is related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they were first diagnosed after discharge from service and there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus during service, nor was he exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard a ship.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated at 10% prior to March 31, 2017 and 60% thereafter. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity neuropathy, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to May 7, 2007, were denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was not granted because there is no evidence that the Veteran's current diagnoses had their onset during active service or within a presumptive period following discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current vision/eye disability, and there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or right wrist disability during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any connection between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease status post fusion surgery.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to the evidence showing that he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful work. The RO granted service connection for additional disabilities during the pendency of this appeal, including prostate cancer residuals, erectile dysfunction, PTSD, mood disorder, diabetes, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran has not received a VA examination to determine the functional impact that these additional service-connected disabilities have on his employment.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. These conditions are secondary to the appellant's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The VA medical opinions provided conflicting dates of onset for the appellant's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but both agreed that the appellant's diabetes caused his diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy in the right and left lower extremities if present, are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic regional neuropathy pain syndrome, right trapezius area, was denied as the evidence did not show complete paralysis of the long thoracic nerve.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as her service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent her from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and thus denied service connection.,Service connection was granted for hypertension as it is not clear whether the condition was caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to his pre-existing conditions and the denial of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been rated at 20 percent since December 24, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the entire appeal period, and he is entitled to SMC under 38 U.S.C. &#1114(s) due to his other service-connected disabilities.

The VA has reduced the ratings for right arm, left arm, right leg and left leg polyneuropathy from 30 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2012. The Veteran's conditions are not secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes, warranting service connection. However, there is no evidence of carotid artery disease for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.