Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted a higher rate of SMC as the result of service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of both feet and additional disabilities such as chronic progressive sensory distal polyneuropathy. The Veteran meets criteria for aid and attendance due to his need for assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is rated at 30 percent for the left upper extremity and 40 percent for the right upper extremity since October 16, 2006. The Veteran also meets criteria for a TDIU prior to March 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his lumbar spine, upper extremities, or lower extremities. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not begin during service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met both the schedular criteria for a TDIU and precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 31, 2011 to March 20, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and therefore the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on the severity of symptoms, with increased ratings granted for each affected area.,Effective May 16, 2017, the Veteran was assigned initial 30 percent ratings for right upper extremity and initial 20 percent ratings for left upper extremity. For lower extremities, he received a 60 percent rating effective June 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, as well as his claims for higher ratings for various peripheral neuropathies and PTSD have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of TDIU due to the cumulative effects of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8620.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip tendinopathy, osteoporosis, insomnia, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection as there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, or left lower extremity. The Veteran was also found not to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's Disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability within the presumptive period or a link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 5, 2009 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The decision was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right hand second metacarpal fracture is granted, with a maximum rating of 10 percent. A separate compensable rating is also granted for digital neuropathy as a residual of the same condition. The issue of reopening the claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been found to have new and material evidence supporting it.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted a separate 20 percent rating for each leg, with symptoms of moderate constant pain; severe intermittent pain; moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias; and moderate numbness. The disability picture most nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, right foot disorder, hypertension, osteoporosis, and kidney cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's posttraumatic sensory neuropathy left upper extremity has not been manifested by symptoms warranting a higher evaluation prior to December 17, 2014 and on or after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has been rated at 30 percent since October 19, 2012. Since October 31, 2015, it is rated at 60 percent for each upper extremity. The lower extremities have also been rated at 40 percent since October 19, 2012 and remain at 40 percent.