Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's heart disease, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), is not service-connected as it was not diagnosed during or within one year after military service.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been established for evaluation purposes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his diabetes does not require regulation of activities.,The Veteran has been granted specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disability resulting from loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including due to herbicide agent exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of bilateral feet is related to his service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the claim period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.,His right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is also rated at 70 percent, with severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right hip disability has been denied. The appeals for higher initial ratings for lumbar strain, left hip strain, and left thigh impingement are pending. The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features is also pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurological disability is not related to his service-connected disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nerve disorder of the left leg is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding hypertension and vision problems are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran developed polyneuropathy of the extremities as a result of taking prescribed medications for his enlarged prostate, and this additional disability was not due to negligence or unforeseeable risks. The Board finds that VA's treatment did cause the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, and service connection for PTSD, depression, vertigo, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and arthritis of the feet were not established. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, coronary artery disease, cervical disorder, and other conditions are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and radiculopathy that is secondary to his service-connected DM.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by a period of active service or active duty for training, and denied his claim for service connection.

The combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, allowing for a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus began within one year of active military service and is presumed to be related to his service.

The Veteran's service connection for persistent depressive disorder is granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective July 20, 2015. The Board finds that the Veteran suffers from frequent and severe symptoms of persistent depressive disorder, such as depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are being remanded to obtain an opinion on whether they are related to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is causally related to his in-service herbicide exposure, specifically Agent Orange exposure, and grants entitlement to service connection.