Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, and tinnitus, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as neuropathy, gout, and pes planovalgus, was incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding the current residuals of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. Additionally, VA must attempt to obtain all relevant medical records from Fort Campbell.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left upper extremity disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is about an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation for the loss of use of his left hand, which was previously granted on November 13, 1991. The case has been remanded to correct a procedural defect in how this issue was addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for left lower extremity inguinal nerve neuropathy or left inguinal hernia.

The Veteran's Type-II diabetes mellitus was initially rated at 20 percent prior to February 8, 2010 and increased to 40 percent since then.,His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity with rigidity and bradykinesis has been rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since that date. His right lower extremity condition was also rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since then.,The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is set at August 28, 1998.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations for certain conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and plantar fasciitis are service-connected, with no presumption applied due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral macular degeneration and major depressive disorder, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the time period since January 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye optic neuropathy and glaucoma are not related to his service-connected chalazion, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for polyneuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and he is entitled to a compensable evaluation for each affected nerve.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, were not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for service-connected conditions is at least 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.