Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right shoulder. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus prior to February 4, 2014 was denied. The effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been denied as there is no competent credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development regarding his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CIDP is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders prior to March 12, 2013 is denied as the Under Secretary for Benefits and the Director of Compensation Service have no authority to assign such an evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether his current diagnoses of plantar fasciitis and right median nerve motor axonal neuropathy were related to his military service or if they were aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's employment with the United States Postal Service ended on November 18, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that he was not precluded from substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities was 80 percent, as of September 2, 2010. The Board finds that the most probative evidence of record demonstrates that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination and consideration of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the results of this additional examination.

The Board granted higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that bilateral elbow disability is related to service-connected diabetes and granting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right inferior alveolar nerve neuropathy with masticatory muscle myalgia is rated at 30 percent, reflecting severe incomplete paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening service connection claims and seeking higher ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding his service-connected disabilities prior to January 19, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent rating, but not higher. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction was previously denied and is now final due to lack of timely appeal. New evidence received since the denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy, as well as any other residuals. Separate compensable ratings may also be considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as tarsal tunnel and compression neuropathy, was incurred in service. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether this condition is related to an incident of service.