Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities before November 16, 2012 were denied. From that date forward, his initial ratings were increased to 20 percent each.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is at least as likely as not due to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his death from positional asphyxia due to a car accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and bilateral leg neuropathy are being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will seek additional private treatment records, radiation exposure dose estimates, and arrange for an examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will also be addressed on remand.

The Veteran met the minimum criteria for schedular TDIU prior to November 1, 2012 and was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that evidence for and against the claim is at least in approximate balance.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals to ensure due process prior to further appellate review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as due to exposure to herbicides, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy within one year after service discharge.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities that severely affect his mobility, necessitating the use of a wheelchair.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic lipomas/lymphomas and peripheral neuropathy, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the peripheral neuropathy is related to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found that bilateral optic neuropathy was not incurred or aggravated by service and is unrelated to any service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy affecting his lower extremities and resulting in loss of sensation, have rendered him unable to use his feet for driving. As a result, he is granted financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left ulnar neuropathy, skin disability, and bilateral eye disability have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not serve in combat and posttraumatic stress disorder has not been diagnosed. The psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, namely depression, was not present in service and is unrelated to any injury, disease, or event in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service separation examination, verifying inservice stressors, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of his migraine headaches and any claimed psychiatric disability.