Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the disabilities were already considered in prior decisions and final ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than April 4, 2008 for the award of a 10 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD were granted a 40 percent evaluation effective February 3, 2011. His peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not found to warrant an increased rating.

The case is being remanded for further development, including adjudicating service connection claims and obtaining a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran needs aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's CAD, varicose veins, and pes planus are not service-connected. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected disability (bilateral pneumothorax).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The issue will be reviewed again after this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities and hands have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,A TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination assessing the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected peripheral neuropathy, and this decision grants the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy or Type II diabetes mellitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is presumed to have developed Type II Diabetes Mellitus due to herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The low back disorder claim requires additional development as it involves a VA compensation examination and obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is a result of active military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal is already in effect.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the hands were granted effective July 16, 2007.,The Veteran's claim for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted effective April 18, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and affording the Veteran a more contemporaneous examination. The claims will be readjudicated based on all received evidence.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and a heart disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective September 26, 2007. He also has separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his right and left lower extremities (10% each).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating for PTSD, tinnitus, or hearing loss. Service connection was not established for COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, or degenerative changes in the right knee.