Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist disability and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted, with the left wrist disability rated at 70% from September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds and neuropathy are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional records related to the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides and his service in Vietnam. The Veteran claims he set foot in Vietnam while on board the USS Southerland.

The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective October 20, 2008.,The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity was also granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating and are likely to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the claims. The TDIU claim will be addressed in light of any new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left zygoma fracture and left trigeminal neuropathy with foreign bodies and scar were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran experiences symptoms of peripheral neuropathy involving the lower extremities, as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. As a result, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is a result of his service-connected Type II Diabetes Mellitus, granting his claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a new examination. The issues of increased rating for bilateral pes planus, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and associated complications, and determining whether any noncompensable complications should be separately evaluated.

The Board found that the Veteran did not serve within the land borders or on inland waterways of the Republic of Vietnam, and thus could not establish presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, a heart disorder, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claims were denied as direct service connection was also not established.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis with pharyngitis, Parkinson's disease, bilateral cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone are sufficient for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence received and to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service in Thailand and Korea.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and Workman's Compensation records, scheduling an examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, and considering whether staged ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The case is now limited to the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, including retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA and Worker's Compensation records, as well as VA treatment records. He will also undergo examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities and mononeuritis of the left superficial peroneal nerve.