Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to unclear diagnosis from a previous VA examination. Additional development, including clarification of the diagnosis and opinion on whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial separate compensable ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left legs have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an examination to determine if any current bilateral foot disability is related to service or cold exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are enough to render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sensory motor peripheral neuropathy did not manifest during his active duty and is not related to his exposure to herbicide agents. As a result, service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne and remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly considering potential side effects from medications used for other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and his four types of diabetic peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent. The RO granted separate ratings for the right and left lower extremities, as well as the right and left upper extremities.,TDIU was denied due to the Veteran having multiple service-connected disabilities that do not render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for the former and insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last final denial is considered new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship between the claimed conditions and the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 26, 2005. The Board finds the current rating appropriately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims. The Veteran's hypertension and kidney disorder are reopened, but further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a syphilis infection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable levels under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his service-connected disabilities, including a VA examination to assess the impact on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The claim is now being reviewed.