Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess his employability given his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with hypertension, cataracts and history of nonhemorrhagic stroke is granted. He also has a 20 percent evaluation for his diabetes. The Veteran does not have residuals from his traumatic brain injury or peripheral neuropathy that would warrant separate evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The VA determined that the current manifestations of his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his physical disabilities. He also does not qualify for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left arm disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his active service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted, and the effective date for service connection for his complications due to type II diabetes mellitus was set at September 10, 2003. The TDIU award was also granted with a retroactive effective date of September 10, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin condition, bone marrow condition, peripheral neuropathy, respiratory condition, and liver condition, are denied as there is no current medical evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent and does not warrant a higher rating. Service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied.

The Veteran's claims for right upper and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence of these conditions. The claim for headaches secondary to service-connected thoracic spine disability has not been developed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a material defect in the supplemental statement of the case, specifically regarding records from the Las Vegas VAMC.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for residuals of a left inguinal hernia remains at 10 percent, as the medical evidence does not show recurrence or worsening of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities resulting from a November 1961 motor vehicle accident were due to his own willful misconduct, and thus not incurred in line of duty. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a disability rating greater than 20 percent for diabetic neuropathy of the right foot, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on moderate impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diabetic retinopathy or peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and concluded that these conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 13, 2003 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus with associated bilateral lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed.