Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted as it is directly related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board found no evidence of post-polio syndrome in service or subsequent to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining opinions from the April 2011 examiner regarding whether his current right upper extremity disorder is related to a right wrist ganglion cyst noted at service separation or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that there was no evidence of this condition in the Veteran's medical records. The Veteran testified to experiencing tingling and occasional numbness but subsequent VA examinations found intact sensory function.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The claim to reopen his psychiatric disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. With the resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the requirements for a TDIU have been met throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty in the diagnosis of the Veteran's neurological disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The case is being remanded to consider a claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the 5th and 7th left cranial nerves with fracture of the left facial bones and scars of the left face is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The stricture of the left external auditory canal is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and denied his claims for service connection. The other issues were also addressed but are not included here.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as noncompensable, but the VA examiner found that he still experiences pain and stiffness in his feet despite using orthotics. The Veteran should receive a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, while serious and requiring the use of a wheelchair or prosthetic leg, do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to permanent and total disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, which he claims is related to his service-connected status-post right distal clavicle resection with chronic rotator cuff tendonitis. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spinal disability is rated at 40 percent since April 2, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.