Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted as they are presumed to be related to his exposure to certain herbicides during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her assertion that her right hand carpal tunnel condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2014. She needs a new VA examination and any relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has not been manifested by daily fatigue, malaise, and anorexia with weight loss or other indication of malnutrition, and hepatomegaly; or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician having a total duration of four weeks or more in a 12-month period. Therefore, the criteria for an initial rating greater than 20 percent have not been satisfied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his diabetes requires only insulin and an oral hypoglycemic agent.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated at 10 percent under DC 7522. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the service connection of various conditions has been dismissed as there is no valid claim to consider due to the finality of previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine remains pending.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is rated at 20 percent each, effective November 26, 2013. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not caused or aggravated by his military service, nor is it shown to be proximately caused by his service-connected low back disability and/or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his left inguinal groin neuropathy did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back condition and associated peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding the presence of neurological manifestations in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because the criteria for SMC were met as of September 21, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder dislocation and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if his ship, the U.S.S. Midway, was exposed to herbicides during his service in the waters offshore and other locations.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and review the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, blood in urine/hematuria, and hypogonadism. The Veteran's PTSD and status post laminectomies L4-5 disabilities are currently rated at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him at any point during the appeal period.

Prior to January 18, 2013, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.