Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, renal disease, cerebrovascular accident, heart condition, and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to medical questions that cannot be answered by the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 1, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to additional development being required, including VA examinations and consideration of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's anxiety and depression, as well as his Parkinson's disease with bladder control problem and peripheral neuropathy are presumed to be related to service due to exposure to herbicide agents during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a circulatory system disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, was denied. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed circulatory system disorder and concluded that the claimed condition is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims, including whether it is related to service and/or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the feet, and gum disease are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with related degenerative changes is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in active service. The current Charcot joint, peripheral vascular disease of the leg and foot, peripheral neuropathy, onychomycosis and gout are found as likely as not to be due to the now service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a comprehensive examination to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the Veteran's part-time employment constitutes gainful or marginal employment.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are currently rated at 20 percent each, effective November 2, 2012. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent respectively, effective November 2, 2012. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to his in-service foot infection. The genitourinary disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports, the need for a personal hearing, and the requirement of an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his conditions and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of his claim for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. His TDIU was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical examinations and development to determine if the appellant now suffers from a right hand/wrist disability, including ulnar neuropathy, or any residual of a fracture of the fourth toe of the left foot. The issues remain on appeal.