Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been denied as his conditions have not met the criteria for increased disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for right forearm gunshot wound, through and through, with ulnar neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy or 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy, as well as his requests for increased ratings for eczema and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a TDIU rating. The basic eligibility for nonservice-connected Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension benefits claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment and grants a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent prior to July 25, 2016 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed hip, spine, and polyneuropathy disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of her neurological disabilities, including whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple upper and lower extremity problems, have caused him to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person from March 1, 2013 until his death. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and hearing loss have been remanded due to ambiguity in the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination addressing these issues. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is etiologically linked to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 10, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective from February 13, 2008.,A disability rating of 80 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity since November 21, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded for further development due to potential service connection based on presumed exposure to burn pits during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as a bilateral knee disorder) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim of hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his service, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange/herbicides.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathy, effective from March 22, 2013.