Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the left shoulder service connection issue is resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, lumbar spine disability, and tailbone disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals, compression fracture, T12 with arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals. The combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise, supporting the Veteran's claim that he was exposed to Agent Orange and other biological and chemical agents during active service at Dugway Proving Grounds. The diabetes mellitus type II is related to this exposure, as are the peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling since September 27, 2007. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met and thus denies an increased rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing sedentary employment, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, but is remanding the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to conflicting evidence and lack of a clear effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and proper adjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his right knee disorder and service connection for low back and peripheral neuropathy. The case has been remanded to obtain updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his right knee disorder, as well as whether any diagnosed low back or peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and thoracic spine degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain and spondylolysis were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in either hip.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to the need for updated medical records and an opinion regarding his ability to follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to address his prostate cancer claim and obtain additional VA treatment records. The RO will also provide an examination to determine if he can work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted for the period prior to June 6, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, leg radiculopathy, stomach disability, prostate disability, liver disability, and various other disabilities. The issues include reopening of a claim for diabetic retinopathy and seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria established in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).