Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

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

The Veteran's appeals for a higher evaluation for diabetes and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status are being remanded to allow for additional development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicides during service and whether his claimed conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, skin disability, bladder disability, kidney disability, liver disability, headaches, hypertension, and GERD. The decision did not address any presumptive exposure to herbicides or other specific exposures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions. The issue of service connection for PTSD will also be remanded as she has submitted a notice of disagreement on this matter.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his claims. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, type II or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's neurological disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. He was granted a separate rating for removal of semilunar cartilage from March 27, 2008.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of both feet, linked to exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam-era service, is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connected disabilities, including residuals of a low back injury with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As such, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability including major depressive disorder and depression, diabetes mellitus, type II, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD due to in-service stressors or exposure to herbicides. Service treatment records did not show any mental health issues during service, and the Veteran's psychiatric state at separation was normal.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy was initially rated at 30 percent from May 1, 2008, to June 7, 2010. Since then, it has been rated as non-compensably disabling (less than 10 percent).,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower motor neuron and small fiber neuropathy disorder was incurred in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his disability is currently rated at 20 percent and there are no additional complications or restrictions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection was denied for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected frostbite and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been rated at their maximum schedular ratings since June 9, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information required to corroborate herbicide exposure, and the Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending with VA.