Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg, ankle, groin, hip, shoulder, cervical spine, and scar conditions. The effective date for a TDIU is dismissed as no effective date has been assigned yet. The issues of service connection and increased evaluations are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to his willful misconduct during active duty. The other disabilities listed are also denied as they were either caused by or aggravated by the veteran's own actions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform the basic functions of self-care and are as helpless due to his service-connected conditions, necessitating regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that additional evidence of complications from the condition may warrant a higher rating and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy has been granted. An effective date of May 16, 2017 is assigned to the grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, and the related secondary conditions of nephropathy, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to exposure to herbicides while stationed at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan.

The Veteran's kidney disability and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found the evidence against a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as whether he has other disabilities that are related to or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The lumbar spine degenerative intervertebral discs at L4-L5-S1 claim was remanded, as was the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and short-term memory loss. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to herbicide exposure at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to a lack of evidence showing an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected mixed polyneuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and whether separate ratings are warranted for each nerve involved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II with complications such as cataracts, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The effective date was fixed at July 27, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation since January 10, 2013. The Veteran does not have an exceptional case where the available schedular evaluations are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, including whether he has loss of use of any extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for DMII was denied, as the condition did not require regulation of activities. The peripheral neuropathy in the LLE was rated at 0 percent before March 18, 2016, but a higher rating is available. The RLE's diabetic peripheral neuropathy was rated at 30 percent since March 18, 2016, and CAD resulted in a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease have been granted effective July 22, 2004. The Veteran also received an effective date of August 31, 2010 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ and Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) benefits have been granted effective July 22, 2004. The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates before July 31, 2013 for these benefits.