Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of established herbicide exposure and for clarification of the November 2014 private medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether he sustained additional disabilities as a result of his November 2011 right knee replacement surgery, and if so, whether these were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 16, 2008.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated noncompensably disabling as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity, is currently rated 10 percent disabling and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be service-connected. The peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, which satisfies the regulatory threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities; coronary artery disease (CAD); vitiligo; thoracolumbar spine condition; right knee condition; left knee condition; right hip condition; and bilateral hand condition. The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that his service connection claims for cervical spine strain and bilateral peripheral neuropathy are not supported by evidence. His adjustment disorder with depressed mood, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle strain, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability claims have been addressed but do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for right side brain lesions and neuropathy of the right and left legs has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and finds that it is warranted based on credible evidence of in-service cold exposure and a current disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of either the left or right upper extremity and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected burn scars. The issue of a current left knee condition remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board found that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a direct service connection for the Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's current neuropathy was determined to be less likely related to his military service, and the Board also concluded that none of his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated the Veteran's current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot hallux valgus, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to herbicides, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.,Regarding COPD, as there was no VA examination or medical opinion provided on this issue, it remains pending. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his COPD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and their relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has ordered additional clarification on the relationships between these conditions, specifically regarding hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, renal insufficiency, and onychomycosis.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied as not related to service-connected diabetes. His peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 10%.,The Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is pending and requires a DRO hearing at the next available opportunity. The Board has not made a determination on service connection claims.