Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA neurological examination to determine if peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is caused or aggravated by service-connected residuals of fracture at T-12 and L-1.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss of the left ear, and his claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied all issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, finding that entitlement did not arise until March 2, 2009 when peripheral neuropathy was first diagnosed. The issue of a higher rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed to have been incurred during his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The hypertension claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the appellant's request. The Veteran claimed service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but his death made him ineligible for direct service connection.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in determining the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain all relevant records pertaining to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, affect him in such a way that he is precluded from performing either sedentary or physical work. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance, acquiring specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities did not have its onset in service or is otherwise associated with service, and the evidence does not show it is related to or aggravated by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and type II diabetes mellitus were granted. The Veteran was awarded staged higher initial ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities effective from April 26, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on percentage ratings alone. However, due to his physical limitations and lack of computer skills, he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The case is being remanded for referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extra-schedular disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a change in representation and scheduling of a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disability, radiculopathy or neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications. His combined disability rating has been at least 90% since May 21, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the February 2014 VA examination report.