Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and civilian provider treatment records related to his service-connected neurological conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and eczema (claimed as rash/itching), are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The Board found that his diabetes requires insulin and a restricted diet but not regulation of activities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as his claim regarding whether he timely filed an appeal to the October 13, 2004 rating decision. The Board found that there was no showing of peripheral neuropathy or evidence of herbicide exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. For the bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right-sided facial disability was a reasonably foreseeable complication from the June 2002 parotidectomy, and VA did not commit negligence or error in judgment.

The Veteran is not shown by competent medical evidence to have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities that is etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service, including a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and a back disability, was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his hypertension.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension due to lack of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding no competent or credible evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy, and thus cannot be granted service connection.