Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded cases for further factual development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicides while serving aboard the USS ZELIMA, as it is unclear whether he served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam or any similar area identified in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evaluation of the Veteran's right hip disability and lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess his range of motion, as well as whether his leg numbness and tingling are related to his service-connected right hip condition.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine stenosis and spondylolisthesis, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left shoulder DJD and residuals of total arthoplasty.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is believed to have caused or aggravated his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right hand degenerative joint disease was rated at 10% effective April 29, 2014. He is denied an earlier effective date and a higher rating.

The Board has decided the TDIU claim and remanded for further examination of shoulder conditions. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent for shoulder disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's daughter, S.S., is recognized as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to her 18th birthday. The condition was present and severe before she turned 18.

The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus with metatarsalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right foot, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left and right knee, and left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The Board has granted service connection for these headaches on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran’s obesity is not a compensable disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain a VA examination and addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of his arthritic condition, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's ED is secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for sleep apnea was initially filed on May 21, 2015 and the effective date has been granted as of that date. The claim for PTSD was initially received on July 12, 2010 and an earlier effective date prior to July 12, 2010 is not warranted. The claim for fibromyalgia was initially received on March 10, 2014 and the effective date has been granted as of that date.

The Board denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal through his attorney.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, chronic kidney disease, and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 16, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy/peroneal neuropathy is not service-connected, as the evidence does not establish a link to his military service or any service-connected condition.,For the period from January 1, 2014 and continuing thereafter, the Veteran’s left shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions are directly related to military service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and dismissed the TDIU claim due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the potential relationship to herbicide exposure during service.