Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are associated with voiding dysfunction requiring changing of absorbent pads five times daily, warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence suggests that it may be related to hepatitis B.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neurological disability. The Veteran asserts that his peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service and/or is secondary to his service connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and his military service, including any exposure to chemicals or jet fuel. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy warrants a higher initial rating of 40 percent, effective June 12, 2017. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and provide an addendum opinion regarding the loss of use of his right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic nephropathy, render him unemployable as of January 15, 2014. His combined disability rating meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy is granted based on the presumption of service connection for former POW status.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's colorectal cancer is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease and type II diabetes mellitus, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disabilities. The neuropathy claims are also inextricably intertwined with the back claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were at least as likely as not incurred in service due to military sexual trauma. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetic polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be linked to his exposure to herbicide agents during his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service at CFB Gagetown. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims, as the Veteran does not have diagnosed upper extremity neuropathy or diabetic neuropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and grants TDIU with an effective date of January 28, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if there have been frequent periods of hospitalization or marked interference with employment due to his peripheral neuropathy. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), and vertigo are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as these conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of mandibular prognathism and malocclusion, claimed as scars of the face and neck. The Veteran testified during his July 2017 Travel Board hearing that he experienced symptoms such as painful, itchy scars on his face and neck, a burning sensation, and choking sensations since his in-service surgery to correct his mandibular prognathism and malocclusion.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to have aggravated his currently diagnosed neurological disability of the bilateral upper extremities, including carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. As such, the Board grants service connection for these disabilities.