Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities warrants evaluations of 20 percent for each affected limb, effective from March 2, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. The issues of service connection for left foot neuropathy as secondary to service-connected conditions, and a left ankle disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease (arthritis or peripheral neuropathy) diagnosed during service, and the Veteran's current right foot disability is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a TDIU examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as restrictions on his activities. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of separation. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his service.,He does not have any service-connected disabilities that would require the aid and assistance of another person, nor is he housebound due to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness, but diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's memory loss is presumed to be due to an undiagnosed illness. Diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, hypertension, bilateral leg disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not attributable to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in prior remands.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple peripheral neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 5, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from October 6, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected back and psychiatric disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's psychiatric and cognitive disabilities, as well as her peripheral neuropathy, are found to be caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency resulting from the gastric bypass surgery performed at VA in October 1989. The disability is not service-connected but was proximately caused by VA carelessness or lack of proper skill.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, foot, and neurological disabilities were denied. The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for left and right knee arthritis but has determined that there is no current disability of either hip or TMT joint. Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in the Veteran's right upper extremity or bilateral lower extremities, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted. The Board also found no evidence to support secondary service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy and myopathy of the lower extremities, to include as secondary to his service-connected intervertebral disc disease, has been denied because there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and eye disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran.