Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, which he contends is due to his military service. The Board has determined that presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure does not apply as there are no manifestations of peripheral neuropathy within the required one-year period after separation from service. A VA Compensation and Pension examination will be ordered to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed condition is related to his military service, including due to his conceded Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is due to his service-connected arthritis of the cervical spine, and left ulnar neuropathy had its onset during active service. Therefore, service connection for a neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities is granted.

The Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities other than carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, rendered him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Service connection is granted for these conditions due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and headache disability are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after a medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to his cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to June 21, 2011 and upgraded to 40 percent effective that date. The right lower extremity neuropathy was also granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the four extremities, including based on herbicide agents exposure, is denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of any upper or lower extremity, and the existing evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes mellitus has caused such conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the disabilities were already considered in prior decisions and final ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 4, 2008 for the award of a 10 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD were granted a 40 percent evaluation effective February 3, 2011. His peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not found to warrant an increased rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including adjudicating service connection claims and obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's CAD, varicose veins, and pes planus are not service-connected. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected disability (bilateral pneumothorax).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The issue will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities and hands have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,A TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected peripheral neuropathy, and this decision grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.