Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's heart condition has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 28, 2016, outside the convalescent period, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the cutaneous branch of the right saphenous nerve has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip condition and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's heart disorder was characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion, left heart catherization, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50%. His diabetes mellitus required insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board found that the reduction from 60% to 30% for ischemic heart disease was improper due to lack of improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions. For diabetes, the Veteran's condition did not warrant more than a 20% rating.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is not service connected. The Veteran's hyperparathyroidism, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, and anemia are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent disabling from August 19, 2013 to June 28, 2016 and as 20 percent disabling beginning June 29, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and granted a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to a lack of recent VA examination, consideration of medication effects in previous decision, and need for additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's neuropathy of the right foot is related to his service, specifically the in-service fracture.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals of the right foot with peripheral neuropathy are rated at 30 percent, effective September 29, 2017. The claim for increased rating is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established. The claim is denied.,The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's nerve disorder, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is not service connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his current condition and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange or any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability manifested by neuropathy of the lower extremities, balance deficits, and vertigo is related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether this condition qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under the presumptive provisions for Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA/privately held treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD must be re-evaluated as his condition may have worsened since the last examination in May 2009. A new VA examination for the lumbar spine disability is also required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service, and his bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for sleep apnea.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy and left shoulder tendinopathy/tear are related to service. However, further development is needed for the issue of right ulnar neuropathy (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period from March 31, 2008 to November 4, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions based on presumed exposure. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 30 percent since October 26, 2011. The Board found that his symptoms have been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as a result of service-connected disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not show that his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation is solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

From March 24, 2009, to January 12, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone were not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.,From January 13, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, and prostate cancer are presumed to be related to his exposure to toxic herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.