Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, should be remanded due to inconsistencies in the March 2012 VA examination report.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied his other service connection and rating claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment prior to January 19, 2012. TDIU was granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including service connection and increased ratings. The case is being remanded to the RO due to issues with the certification of certain claims and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with associated alcohol dependence and other service-connected conditions, most nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating beginning April 13, 2012. The Board granted service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his PTSD and associated alcohol dependence. Service connection was also granted for radiculopathy of the right leg and bilateral CTS, both found to be related to his PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's service-connected retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been granted. The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for extraschedular consideration due to Johnson v. McDonald, and for TDIU consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sensory polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity warrants a 40 percent disability rating, effective April 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and hypertension were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, coronary heart disease, hypertension, a neurological disability, and peripheral vascular disease are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg disability and sciatica, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and glaucoma are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature, extent, severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected, but his right hand neuropathy is secondary to a service-connected elbow disability. The rating for the flexion of the right elbow has been granted at 50%.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of neuropathy of the bilateral hands and found no evidence linking it to service, including Agent Orange exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not shown to be related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The most persuasive medical opinion evidence did not support a connection between the disability and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to diabetes mellitus, type 2 are both granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing examinations to assess his hearing loss and cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as due to herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports a finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his period of active service in Korea and concedes this exposure. As such, service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.