Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right ankle arthritis with ligament reconstruction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a right ankle scar, rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, attend to his personal hygiene, manage his finances or medications, walk, relieve himself without assistance, and protect from hazards. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful motion in the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long fingers associated with his service-connected right hand scars. The remaining issues have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 40 percent rating for service-connected TBI is denied as there was no pending claim prior to October 12, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal in January 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 5, 2012, for the grant of service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there were no informal claims or intent to file a claim prior to this date.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 5, 2012, was also denied. The Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disability, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, as they are not related to his military service. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have also been denied due to lack of a service onset.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are granted, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his lower back condition, right shoulder arthritis, migraine headaches, and periodic limb movement disorder have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his left lower extremity, but the evidence does not show a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection is granted for renal cell chromophobe carcinoma with metastasis to the retroperitoneal lymph node (para-aortic mass), as secondary to the Veteran's previously diagnosed renal cell chromophobe carcinoma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected as they are related to his service-connected heart disease and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The Board has determined that a separate compensable rating for the Veteran's cardiac disability is warranted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, and the Veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending claims, including those related to skin condition (chloracne), kidney condition, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and heart condition (ischemic heart disease).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left foot conditions.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated as 10 percent disabling, but there is no actual improvement in his condition. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spinal stenosis and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to herbicide exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition.