Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the extremities related to service or herbicide exposure, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities is related to service, including any exposure during active duty or National Guard service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current right leg and back disabilities to his active service, including any herbicide exposure. The claims were denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to a change in the hearing officer's employment status.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's claimed diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with a disability rating of 20% for the cervical spine condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional VA Medical Center records being added to the Veteran's claims file.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands (CTS), secondary to diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Veteran's testimony at his May 2012 hearing indicates he currently has this condition.

The Veteran's death was caused by terminal colon cancer with metastasis, but the service-connected diabetes and neuropathy are not considered to be the immediate or underlying cause of his death. The Board is remanding this case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 12, 2008 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted the Veteran a TDIU effective February 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded both issues on appeal due to the Veteran's request for a new hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the scheduled in-person hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, upper and lower extremities, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractures of the left fourth and fifth fingers, but denied service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his hand injuries is now complete.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected wrist disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran has mild ulnar nerve neuropathy associated with his right wrist disability, but this condition is not severe enough to warrant an initial separate rating.

The Veteran's chronic immune system disorder was not incurred or aggravated during her first period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination with a neurologist to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral foot disability.