Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's CIDP was not shown to be related to his military service and is not a presumptive disease associated with herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience, effective December 6, 2011.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates was denied as his application for benefits was received by VA on January 18, 2007, which is the date he contacted the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office. The one-year deadline for filing a claim after separation from service has expired.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of increased ratings for PTSD, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a kidney disability and finds that it is related to his in-service injury. The Veteran's left thigh muscle disability is also found to be related to his in-service injury, but an examination is needed to determine if he currently has sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his cancer of the oropharynx is not associated with herbicide exposure during service. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and supplemental statements of the case with respect to any new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were also on appeal but the Veteran indicated he no longer wished to continue these appeals in his August 2008 substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lymphatic cancer is not related to his active duty, but was presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The neuropathy of the left forearm and wrist is considered a direct result of service without any connection to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both feet, which he claims is related to his military service and/or a service-connected back disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the lack of VA examination based on a review of the entire claims file.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was rated at 20 percent prior to July 19, 2011. From that date forward, the rating has been increased to 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not manifested by more than moderately severe incomplete paralysis, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's nerve condition, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The claim is denied.