Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tendonitis, an undiagnosed neurological syndrome (joint and muscle pain), and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease associated with PTSD with dementia is rated at 100 percent effective October 11, 2012. His PTSD is also rated at 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to have been incurred during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sural hypertrophic neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. An increased rating of 30 percent for postoperative claw foot (pes cavus) with hammertoe deformities, left and right feet, effective from November 22, 2010, has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has been granted, with a 20 percent initial disability rating. The Veteran was also granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the acquisition of updated VA and private treatment records related to his diabetes mellitus, Type II, with diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder, currently diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy, is found to be causally related to service. The Veteran's glaucoma is not secondary to his diabetes or due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, nor has he had such a disorder throughout the pendency of this appeal. Therefore, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is manifested by mild sensory involvement, and his disability picture is adequately described by the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was not shown to be related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board found no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not present during active military service or for several decades thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related thereto, to include the presumed Agent Orange exposure in the RVN.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO level.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of hernia, ulnar neuropathy, and osteomyelitis. The Board also dismissed the claim to reopen service connection for low back disability due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, as well as automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive automotive equipment only, is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also raised by the record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2013. Beginning on that date, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities has met the criteria for TDIU.