Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam, while peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not established as being related to service.

The Veteran's compression neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent from January 1, 2004 to March 18, 2009 and increased to 30 percent effective March 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including generalized arthritis of the joints, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, residuals of a cold injury to the left hand, tinnitus, and other disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for gastroparesis and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.,The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum 10 percent schedular rating available.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy in his lower or upper extremities, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the minimum level of disability, and he is granted SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's condition has worsened and he is no longer able to achieve a vocational goal through ILP, thus granting his request for additional services.

The case is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran since April 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to treatment required for hepatitis C. Service connection for hypertension is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder and depression), but the other conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II does not require a higher rating as it does not necessitate insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities, and for further adjudication.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's optic nerve disorder was caused by VA treatment, specifically an epidural steroid injection for back pain. The evidence does not establish fault on the part of VA, but the disability is compensable as it resulted from a foreseeable event.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and potential service connection issues related to the Veteran's death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separately diagnosed peripheral neuropathy in any extremity other than his service-connected Baxter's neuritis of the left foot. The symptoms he reports are attributed to his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and conduct a VA examination.