Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand and obtain VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy as part of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted, with an effective date of May 17, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension is granted as these conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to a B-12 deficiency which had its origins during active service.

The Veteran's current pulmonary disorder had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as a manifestation of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to evaluate complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were increased to 20 percent prior to November 18, 2011, and to 40 percent from that date. The decision also addressed issues regarding higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, which are remanded.

The Veteran's loss of vision was not caused by VA negligence or carelessness, and is therefore not compensable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy due to a cervical condition and a right foot condition. As such, the Board does not have appellate jurisdiction over these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to a need to confirm his in-country service in Vietnam. The deck logs for the USS Vesole (DD-878) will be requested to determine if he served in inland waters.

The Board found the Veteran not credible regarding his claims of frostbite and continuous symptoms since service. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's conditions are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy does not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, as determined by a VA examination. Therefore, certification of eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC, for purposes of accrued benefits, was denied as the evidence did not support an assignment of an SMC rate in excess of the M-rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy, finding insufficient evidence of exposure to herbicide agents and no nexus between current disabilities and active service.