Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and impotence were pre-existing conditions that became manifest during service. The effective date for these benefits is set at August 17, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic neuropathy of the left (minor) medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm and left bicep does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his employment is due to nonservice-connected factors.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, including the service-connected peripheral neuropathy, is currently rated at 30 percent. The initial rating for the right thumb limitation of motion remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, which includes residuals of head trauma, compression fracture of the L1 vertebral body, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his condition. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment and daily activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and increased the rating for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right shoulder. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence of peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity or right upper extremity. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to February 28, 2011 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for residuals of shrapnel wounds, diabetic neuropathy, and coronary artery disease are denied as there is no evidence to support a service connection relationship.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity) prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during his military service, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure within the required timeframe. The Board has presumed exposure to Agent Orange based on his Vietnam-era service but found that the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and blurred vision (diabetic retinopathy) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities has been denied or granted with effective dates ranging from September 10, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have upper extremity peripheral neuropathy during service or within one year after discharge, and thus could not establish a presumptive claim based on herbicide exposure. The evidence does not show acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy as required for presumptive service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it is not related to service or due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran had in-service herbicide exposure, presumptively associated with type II diabetes mellitus. However, further medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are linked to the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility on July 2, 2009 was denied as prior authorization from VA was not obtained.