Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that this condition is secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's diabetes, tinnitus, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, hand blisters, and a lung disability to include asbestosis were found to have their onset in service or are related to an in-service event. The upper and lower extremity neuropathies, vision problems including retinopathy, and atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease are caused or aggravated by the now sevice-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and psoriasis, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, median sensory neuropathy, and cubital tunnel syndrome had its onset in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional treatment records, medical examinations, and consideration of all issues.

The Board has reopened and granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, low back disability, neck disability, parotid gland neoplasm, radiculopathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent, effective August 13, 2012. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for the anterior crural nerve (femoral), internal saphenous nerve, musculocutaneous nerve (superficial peroneal), and anterior tibial nerve (deep peroneal).

Your claim for service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity has been granted, and thus your appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 40 percent for group XI muscles and peripheral nerve neuropathy of the left foot, effective from March 21, 2005. He is also granted a rating of 40 percent for postoperative chronic compartment syndrome of the left leg, effective from March 21, 2005.

The Veteran's service connection for right and left leg neuropathy has been granted.,Initial ratings of 10 percent each have been denied for the Veteran's right and left ankle strain disabilities prior to May 17, 2011. Ratings of 20 percent each are granted beginning May 17, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates of April 17, 2012. The Board has also determined that the earliest date of entitlement for CAD is January 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service connection claims for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, lung disorder, residuals of malaria, blood disorder, skin disorder, low back disorder, and hip disorder are all granted as they are considered to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 7, 2010 for diabetic nephropathy and October 27, 2010 for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have been denied.,There were no formal or informal claims for these conditions prior to the dates assigned by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral foot diabetic neuropathy are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance was granted, effective November 13, 2012, but no earlier.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cutanea tarda, bilateral hearing loss disability, chloracne, heart murmur, hypertension, connective tissue disorder, vision disability in right eye, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease. The claim for service connection for lupus erythematosus is also reopened.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, including VA treatment records.