Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current diagnoses for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on their severity, with the highest possible rating for each condition. The TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address his claims, including verification of stressor events in service and examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have all been granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, has been rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of current peripheral neuropathy disability and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims are related to service exposure, but no specific exposure basis is provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 25, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous materials during service and whether any of these exposures could cause his current conditions, including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims will be readjudicated by the RO.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. Separate ratings for neuropathy in both feet are terminated as they are effectively overlapping with the rating for pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left ulnar neuropathy (cubital tunnel syndrome).,Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, with the condition manifesting during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not etiologically related to his active service, proximately due to or chronically aggravated by a service-connected disability, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's right wrist orthopedic disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 1, 2010 and remains at that rating. The separate neuropathy of the right wrist is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PVD did not have its onset in service, is not otherwise related to service, and is not related to his service-connected angiosarcoma. As such, the claim for service connection for PVD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board finds that the appellant's claim for an effective date of August 23, 2006, for the award of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance has been granted. The RO had previously denied this benefit due to a failure to report for a necessary VA medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy has not been established.