Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied. Service connection for swollen legs associated with diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy of the radial nerve associated with diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for a neurological disorder of the upper extremities, claimed as peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to service or are secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied service connection for chemical sensitivity disorder and hot flashes, both claimed as due to exposure to various chemicals in service.,Service connection was also denied for gastroesophageal reflux disease with acid reflux (claimed as secondary to service-connected asthma).

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has denied a higher rating.,Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) to include as secondary to service-connected hypertension has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, left knee, and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, all secondary to a right knee disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as his TDIU claim. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no medical evidence supporting a current diagnosis of hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the left upper and right upper extremities, as well as radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be caused by his service-connected skin disability. The claim for allergic conjunctivitis is denied as the pre-existing condition did not permanently increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 10% each, and the Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.

The RO reduced the rating for diabetes mellitus type II from 40% to 20%, granted a higher rating for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and granted an earlier effective date for TDIU. The reduction in diabetes mellitus rating is due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has dismissed all issues as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications, as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The diabetes mellitus rating remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for neck disability, left and right upper extremity neuropathy due to in-service injuries. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service neck injuries are entitled to special consideration as he served in combat.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for left and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to service connected lumbosacral strain, and restored a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain effective from October 1, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from November 18, 2010 to December 26, 2017 and at 70% since December 27, 2017. The Board denied a rating in excess of these levels for the period from November 18, 2010 to December 26, 2017 and since December 27, 2017. A TDIU was granted effective October 22, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow gainful employment as of April 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to prednisone, voice amplifier, and service-connected duodenal ulcer with GERD were denied. The claim for a left ankle stabilizer was granted.