Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for further medical development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disorder is related to his service-connected right leg disorder and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 29, 2008. However, prior to that date, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the legs is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted as service-connected, with diabetes mellitus being presumed due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities is being considered secondary to service-connected disabilities, but the specific nature of these connections remains unclear.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations addressing the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, degenerative vision, and decreased libido as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his military service, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure. Additionally, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to underlying Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed disabilities and military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for an award of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) since he does not have a combined disability evaluation of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that while the Veteran has suffered residual disability as a result of his service-connected disabilities, the probative evidence is against a finding that he is unemployable solely due to his service- connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disability causes loss of use of both lower extremities, such that he requires a wheelchair for locomotion. As his combined disability rating is 100%, he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were not incurred in service, nor were they caused or aggravated by his service-connected spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination for service connection of an eye disorder and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since April 9, 2004.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was initially granted and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the Veteran had a penile deformity prior to April 19, 2005, which led to his service-connected diabetes. After the circumcision on April 19, 2005, there is no evidence of a penile deformity. Therefore, the Veteran's erectile dysfunction warrants a 20% disability rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's right hip disorder and left hip fracture residuals are not currently diagnosed.,No new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back pain, and right wrist fracture residuals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes mellitus and other disabilities.