Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy in any of his extremities, and that it is not related to active service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not productive of mild incomplete paralysis in either leg, and thus does not warrant separate compensable ratings.

The Veteran's polyneuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities is related to his service, as are his short-term memory loss/cognitive impairment. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify his hearing loss and arthritis diagnoses, as well as to determine the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a left thigh condition, including neuritis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding continuity of symptomatology since service was found to be inconsistent with contemporaneous medical evidence.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical and mental incapacity, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted the special monthly pension based on this finding.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 50 percent disabling from July 7, 2009, and 40 percent before that date.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 40 percent disabling from July 7, 2009, and 30 percent before that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to unclear medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran currently has peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and if so, whether it was caused by his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and for hepatitis C. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployment (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet. The claim remains denied as there is no established link between the claimed condition and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the penis and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as 'foot numbness' due to cold injury), and granted service connection for bilateral toenail onychomycosis with a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his active military service in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with right arm neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis or organic disease of the nervous system may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

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The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings related to his lumbar spine disability, including polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise, with the Veteran prevailing, and grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, major depression, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating has been 70 percent or higher since June 20, 2005, meeting the threshold requirement for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.