Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing the Veteran with an addendum medical statement on his claimed conditions. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a staged rating of 50 percent prior to January 12, 2012, and 70 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and an addendum opinion from the VA otolaryngologist and audiologist.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, with the exception of his diabetic neuropathy which does not require it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip, back, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension.

The Veteran's bilateral hammertoe disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 15, 2007. The claim for an earlier effective date has been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board found that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his tour in Vietnam were conducted under compelling circumstances, and thus did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, the character of the appellant's active duty service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction, as well as tinnitus, were denied. The claim for a TDIU is also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of his military service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as being proximately due to, or the result of, service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claims for peripheral neuropathy and skin disorder, but denied service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was not granted for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case in connection with his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board found no current evidence of peripheral neuropathy or cellulitis, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the February 2011 operation. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and progression of his disability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting reports of upper extremity neuropathy and a need for clarification on its etiology. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is presumed to have caused or aggravated his lower extremity neuropathy, but it remains unclear if he also has upper extremity neuropathy.