Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, finding that the symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for such rating. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and chronic disability manifested by right foot numbness were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his combined disability rating renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left brachial plexus neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Board is remanding the case to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, as findings from previous examinations were not adequately addressed in the June 2009 decision.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The Board denied service connection for both right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial evaluation of sarcoidosis and earlier effective dates for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis, and costochondritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a comprehensive VA examination and review of the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as his conditions, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for loss of use of lower extremities or vision due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy do not warrant a higher disability rating, as they are currently managed with diet and insulin without requiring regulation of activities or hospitalization for complications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for hip pain and leg pain has been withdrawn.,The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for sciatic neuropathy or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions. The case is REMANDED for further consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, and the Board finds that it was not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities or feet. His kidney disease has been evaluated as renal dysfunction under Diagnostic Code 7535, but there is no evidence showing albumin constant or recurring with hyaline and granular casts or red blood cells.,The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy that is attributable to military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are rated at 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type I with complications of peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy has been productive of compensable neurologic and visual complications, restriction of strenuous activity and diet, and multiple hypoglycemic episodes requiring care since March 25, 2006.