Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including addendum opinions regarding his service connection claims and potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 27, 2012 for service connection of scars and facial neuropathy are granted. The initial disability ratings assigned remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, foot, and shoulder conditions are granted based on exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection with a 50% disability rating, effective from December 12, 1996 to August 25, 1998. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, diabetic dermopathy, and diabetic retinopathy with macular degeneration. The Veteran was awarded initial evaluations of no greater than 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, but denied compensable ratings for bilateral diabetic retinopathy and cataracts and left eye maculopathy. The Veteran's case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on his claims for noncompensable ratings for lower peroneal nerves and sural nerves.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for brachial plexitis and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, as there is insufficient link between current symptoms and service. The Veteran's condition was diagnosed after separation from service and is more likely related to his cervical spine issues.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the combined rating for these conditions meets the criteria for TDIU prior to December 23, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess his left knee condition and readjudication of the issues of increased ratings for diabetic polyneuropathy of both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected polyneuropathy and whether she is unemployable due to her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied increased ratings for peroneal neuropathy and varicose veins in the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of lower extremity peripheral neuropathy in service or for years after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment during the period from July 24, 2006 to April 8, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection with a 50% disability rating, effective from December 12, 1996 to August 25, 1998. Special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for syndactyly of the 2nd and 3rd toes bilaterally is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection due to being a congenital defect.

The Board found that the cause of death, end stage esophageal cancer, was not related to service or any service-connected conditions. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. However, because he is eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) in acquiring specially adapted housing, he cannot also receive a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is likely related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.