Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks service connection for arthritis of the left knee and neuropathy of the lower extremities resulting from shell fragment wounds. The Board has determined that further examination is necessary to properly address these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for diabetes mellitus prior to June 23, 2009 or from then on, nor did it meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the hips.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board has granted entitlement to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence related to his diabetes mellitus, type II, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure outstanding VA treatment records and obtain a neurological examination to conclusively determine whether he has peripheral neuropathy of each upper and lower extremities, as well as a left chest wound costochondritis evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of claimed conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a current eye disorder, and the Veteran does not have macular degeneration (eye condition).,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been granted, with the effective date set at December 30, 2002. The condition was initially diagnosed in a VA outpatient record from December 2002 and is considered to have arisen as a complication of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure of the VA examiner to comply with previous instructions regarding continuity of symptomology from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims have been denied as his appeals do not involve service connection issues, but rather focus on rating determinations and effective dates. The specific issues are related to increased ratings for various conditions and effective date determinations.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, rectal dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports. The VA needs to schedule a new examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, lung cancer, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's right eye conditions, including diminished visual acuity and traumatic optic neuropathy, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. Cataracts and open angle glaucoma are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, resulted in a combined 80% disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities. However, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence warranted a 70% rating since June 20, 2013.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that his TDIU request should be granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 17, 2007 for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service, while depression is linked to other conditions. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy, stroke or TIA. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus secondary to DMII is granted. However, service connection for ED secondary to DMII and PTSD, sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, GI condition secondary to PTSD, and skin condition secondary to DMII and PTSD are denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or link between the conditions and the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and adjudication, including consideration of a right eye disorder claim which may impact the rating assigned for left optic neuropathy with visual field loss.