Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, but also noted there was no clinical evidence of lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection may be granted if the Veteran can show his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral peripheral neuropathy, which may affect his entitlement to higher SMC based on loss of use of both legs.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and updating the Veteran's VA treatment records. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show exposure to herbicides or any other service connection basis.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU on June 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 40 percent. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also in effect but do not meet the criteria for higher staged ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and left knee disability, as well as service connection for PTSD. The effective dates for these awards were set to November 25, 2009.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left upper extremity neurological disability, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy and peripheral neuropathy, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and a neurological disorder of the upper and lower extremities, to include peripheral neuropathy and/or CIDP, were denied as they are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine DDD and associated peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from January 28, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depression, rendered him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment during the period from October 23, 2008, to June 2, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA general medical examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service, including any exposure or treatment during service. The opinion concluded that the condition was more likely secondary to ankylosing spondylitis/Marie Strumpell disease, which developed after service.