Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claim for a skin disability was not addressed as it is unclear if it was part of the appeal process.

The Board found no credible evidence of cold injuries during service and concluded that the Veteran's current foot disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board also finds that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and left upper extremity, which are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which arise from diabetes, do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU as they are not found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for AIDS/HIV and related conditions is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence in January 2010. The VA will need to reconsider this decision and obtain additional medical records, including from correctional facilities where the Veteran was incarcerated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right leg peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot disability, including aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disability, which he claims is related to or aggravated by his active duty service. The appeal is currently remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The decision was based on a lack of confirmation of his actual presence in Vietnam or inland waterways, and thus no presumption of exposure to herbicides could be applied.

The Veteran meets the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing due to his service-connected disabilities that have essentially commensurate with loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and adaptive equipment are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is not warranted.

The Veteran's postoperative herniated nucleus pulposus is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for this rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 80 percent combined, meeting the minimum schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim is also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the appellant's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, lacerated liver, and hernias.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities is a result of his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The claim for low back disorder was also denied.