Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy contributed to his fall from the deer stand, leading to injuries that caused his death. The Board has determined this meets the criteria for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been rated as moderately severe, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8620.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes and a 10 percent rating for each type of peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, and erectile dysfunction are granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service in Vietnam and exposure to herbicide agents. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, Type II, was denied as the evidence did not show that regulation of activities were necessary to control his condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been denied as his conditions have not met the criteria for increased disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for right forearm gunshot wound, through and through, with ulnar neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy or 20 percent for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy, as well as his requests for increased ratings for eczema and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a TDIU rating. The basic eligibility for nonservice-connected Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension benefits claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment and grants a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient medical evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent prior to July 25, 2016 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed hip, spine, and polyneuropathy disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of her neurological disabilities, including whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple upper and lower extremity problems, have caused him to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person from March 1, 2013 until his death. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and hearing loss have been remanded due to ambiguity in the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination addressing these issues. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is etiologically linked to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 10, 2015.