Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims of initial increased ratings for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded to consider separate nerve injuries and potential combined ratings.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left upper extremity was granted, with a maximum rating of 20 percent prior to December 10, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. A separate evaluation of 10 percent was assigned for mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 28, 2012.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, right eye cataract, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, left carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma with cataract in the right eye and cataract in the left eye, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2010, and thus denied an effective date earlier than this date for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various lower extremity conditions are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to his service-connected esophageal cancer treatment, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and painful scar on the left knee are rated at various levels. The current ratings for these conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of relationship between the Veteran's left upper extremity disability and his service-connected DM, on either a causation or aggravation basis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities manifests as mild symptoms, with no more than decreased sensation to light touch. The preponderance of evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's left peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve impairment is rated at 40 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's right peripheral neuropathy with sciatic nerve impairment is rated at 40 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's left peripheral neuropathy with femoral nerve impairment is rated at 30 percent since November 18, 2011.,The Veteran's right peripheral neuropathy with femoral nerve impairment is rated at 30 percent since November 18, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (claimed as ischemic heart disease), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for burns on his hands was denied, but he was granted service connection for PTSD. The special monthly pension claim is pending as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to be related to his exposure to environmental hazards during service in Southwest Asia. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for fibromyalgia and to service connection for peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.,In light of the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD, his claim for TDIU is rendered moot.