Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities prior to May 1, 2009 were denied. The effective date for service connection for residuals of stroke was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in Korea. The Board finds that the Veteran's nephropathy and neuropathy are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy, a residual of his service-connected penetrating left elbow wound, is currently rated at 10 percent and has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated at 30 percent, and there is no evidence showing complete paralysis or other criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastritis, sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and bipolar disorder. The effective dates for these conditions have not been addressed due to pending remand issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had sufficient service in and near the DMZ to presume exposure to herbicides, which allows for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also granted for bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is manifested by no more than mild or moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve, and thus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 9, 2007. The VA has determined that he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain has been granted a higher rating, and he is now receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicidal agent exposure, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy, periodic leg movement of sleep, and Baker's cyst in the right knee are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for impotence as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity disabilities and medications, diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated as 20 percent disabling, but his upper extremity conditions are not entitled to increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, Type II. The issues of hypertension and radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are both rated at 40 percent. The effective date for these ratings is July 13, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders, including left optic neuropathy and right eye deterioration, did not develop during service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities is caused by his service-connected back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.