Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder and personality disorder, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim for secondary service connection of peripheral neuropathy to diabetes mellitus is also denied.

The Veteran is eligible for automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only. However, he is not eligible for a special home adaptation grant due to his previous eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the right hip fracture claim was not addressed due to procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disability. The criteria for an initial 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus have been approximated.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU for scars, depressive and body dysmorphic disorder, right fifth cranial nerve neuropathy of the tongue prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus Type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he does not have qualifying service during a period of war.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and left leg neuropathy have been rated based on their current severity. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his diabetes mellitus (to 40%) and left leg neuropathy (to 20%), effective December 24, 2013, and December 3, 2014 respectively. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease remains at a 30% rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature of his left lower extremity neurological disability and its impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy has been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each effective May 6, 2013. The conditions are rated based on their impact on motor function and sensory disturbances.

The Veteran's hypertension is not related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, resolving the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions in connection with his claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service or herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings for various conditions and disabilities. The Board is dismissing the appeals as moot.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated 10 percent prior to February 23, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated 10 percent prior to February 23, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations, and thus no higher rating can be assigned. The claims for service connection for hearing loss, DM, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and nonservice-connected pension benefits have been denied as there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.