Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The Board will consider whether his service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is etiologically linked to his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and she is therefore entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral polyneuropathy of the upper extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's left forearm disability is rated at 20 percent, and his neck scars are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current left knee, left arm, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left wrist, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions during service or within one year post-service, nor did they find a link between any current condition and service. Additionally, there was no evidence supporting loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for a painful right ankle scar is October 17, 1994.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and having a combined service-connected disability rating of 40 percent, which is more than the required 30 percent when considering non-service connected disabilities. His combined evaluation for pension is 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder, sleep disorder, brain stem disorder, and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action, including scheduling a Board hearing at the local RO.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes. The Board also found that the Veteran had a short visit to Vietnam in June/July 1970, which is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities and hypertension due to service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and radial mononeuropathy of the left upper extremity have been granted initial ratings, with some issues receiving higher evaluations.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ulnar neuropathy and any additional muscle-related impairment. The case will be returned to the Board for readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be decided, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, a medical examination, and any relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of peripheral neuropathy or ulnar neuropathy, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The appeal for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was incurred in or related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals and asbestos. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of new VA opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy. The claim will be returned to the Board after this is completed.