Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to active military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's vocational goal was not reasonably feasible due to his refusal of an Extended Evaluation plan and inability to establish feasibility, leading to the denial of his VR&E services.

The VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 3, 2009 for his TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Board found that prior to this date, the Veteran was still able to work due to outpatient records indicating he continued working at least part-time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy or hypertension, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations have been denied. The current evaluations assigned are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as obtaining additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to inconsistencies in his hearing loss claim and the need for updated medical evidence regarding his sciatic nerve neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The case is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying periods of active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and allergies are granted as they are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculitis of the left leg disabilities. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right leg is also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of VA treatment records from the 1970s, which are crucial to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was incurred in service and has been linked to his secondary conditions including peripheral neuropathy, osteomyelitis of the bilateral feet, a kidney condition, and diabetic retinopathy. Service connection is granted for all claims.

The Board found no evidence of in-country service or presumed exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to VA nonservice-connected pension benefits from April 1, 2008 due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment by reasons of his disabilities.

The Veteran's left little finger digital neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional factors such as pain or weakness.

The Board has dismissed the issues regarding loss of toenail and fingernail, as well as the issue to reopen service connection for stress fractures. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2015, and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not found to warrant higher ratings.