Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unverified periods of active duty and inactive duty for training, as well as missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to function normally without the requirement for such assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 10, 2009. The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The case should be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for a written decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was determined to be July 22, 2009. The claim to reopen for dermatitis with vascular changes is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is service-connected for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, depression, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his claimed peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Thailand or Vietnam. The Board also found that these conditions did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy, and there was no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities was granted a disability evaluation of 20 percent effective May 4, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because his service-connected disabilities already grant him a total schedular rating, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and gunshot wound residuals, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and service personnel records to determine the nature of his exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, left ulnar neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including left sciatica symptoms and spondylolysis with grade 1-2 spondylolisthesis, L5 on S1, is etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, sinus condition, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and memory loss. Service connection for stroke condition was not established.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran has erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the extremities which are likely caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.