Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in February 2007 and not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The RO found that the Veteran's pre-service hypertension existed prior to service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was granted on the basis of aggravation, with a non-compensable rating as it remained at least partially disabling before service. The Veteran does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. However, the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any documented exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange during his military service. The weight of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (type 2 diabetes mellitus with onychomycosis of all toes on both feet, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction) is 70 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle arthritis and left foot sural nerve mononeuropathy are service-connected, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's numbness of the toes is related to his in-service cold injury/frostbite or other etiology.

The Veteran does not have a current neurological disability of the bilateral hands or face, and his symptoms are not attributable to service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a vocational examination and re-adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's scar is not deep, does not cause limitation of motion, and does not cover an area exceeding 12 square inches. Therefore, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected scar have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sensory neuropathy of the left hand is found to be manifested by mild impairment due to incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, warranting a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during service and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of left ulnar neuropathy will be remanded as it was not fully adjudicated in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities have resulted in permanent loss of use of his lower extremities, requiring him to use a wheelchair for safe locomotion. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Veteran's neurological symptoms in his lower extremities have been characterized by some diminishment in sensory functioning, pain and an antalgic gait; incomplete paralysis that is 'moderately severe' in nature has not been shown. A 20 percent rating, but no more, for neuropathy in the left lower extremity and a 20 percent rating, but no more, for neuropathy in the right lower extremity have been granted.

The Veteran was awarded SMC at the R-1 rate for purposes of accrued benefits due to his need for regular aid and attendance, as well as loss of use of both hands from service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus does not grant service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, an increased rating for left ankle disability, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of CABG, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy, are sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any diagnosed conditions began during his active service.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's currently diagnosed thyroid disorder due to lack of in-service disease and failure to relate it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to notify him of a previously scheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral sensory/motor neuropathy remain unresolved.