Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

TDIU is granted from January 1, 2013 to September 16, 2015. The service connection claim for a disability claimed as cold feet is reopened.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his condition does not require regulation of activities and has not resulted in episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year.

The Veteran's dizziness is related to his service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability underlying his shortness of breath symptoms.,The Veteran’s hypertension is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange.,High cholesterol is considered a laboratory finding, not a disability for which service connection may be granted.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of bilateral radiculopathy.,The Veteran's left lower polyneuropathy most closely approximates severe partial paralysis, warranting a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's right lower polyneuropathy has been categorized as most closely approximating severe partial paralysis, also warranting a 30 percent rating.,Diabetes mellitus is not manifested to a degree requiring regulation of activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, back disorder, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and neck disorder are denied. The claims for reopening of service connection for headache disorder and skin disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering his exposure to nuclear radiation and other hazardous materials during active service.

Service connection for a flatfeet disability is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. Service connection for neuropathy of lower extremities (secondary to flatfeet) is denied.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since October 29, 2012. The right ear hearing loss disability was not referred for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, and has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, preclude him from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and failed attempts at contact. The issues of service connection are being remanded as they involve secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been rated at 40 percent since September 12, 2013. The same rating was assigned for the left lower extremity from September 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension was denied because the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board also found that there is no reasonable doubt against granting service connection for peripheral neuropathy bilateral legs secondary to diabetes, but since the Veteran's diabetes is not service-connected, this condition cannot be service-connected as secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to September 15, 2017, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds no basis for an increased rating.,The Veteran's claim for neuropathy sciatic nerve, right lower extremity (RLE) secondary to lumbosacral strain was granted with an effective date of July 24, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for neuropathy sciatic nerve, left lower extremity (LLE) secondary to lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, skin rash, and jungle rot. However, further development is needed as new evidence received since the final denial suggests possible exposure to herbicide agents during service in Thailand. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to assess any possible etiological link between his current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his employment history and a new examination of his bilateral lower extremity disabilities.