Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and granted it. The Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral legs, diabetic retinopathy, and arthritis are all found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his claimed neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The claim for peripheral arterial occlusive disease is also denied as there was no opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for diabetes, low back disability, and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that service connection cannot be granted for deep vein thrombosis of the right leg, as it is not attributable to service and secondary service connection based on a right ankle disorder is precluded. The Veteran's right ankle disorder, left hip arthritis, broken right fibula, and neuropathy of the feet are also not attributable to service or caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a low back disorder, Type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for a determination on whether an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b) should be granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disability have been denied as the evidence does not show that he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(1) and/or � 1114(r)(2) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from University Hospital and VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, as well as arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and diverticulitis have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left eye ischemic optic neuropathy, left great toe amputation, peripheral neuropathy, and an earlier effective date for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are remanded for further development.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent effective December 20, 2013.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity was granted a disability rating of 40 percent effective February 19, 2015, and an effective date of July 14, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and dermatitis with residual scarring, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and his neuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 10 percent. The issues have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service and his diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to such exposure. The claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities will be remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if a current diagnosis exists.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to March 13, 2015. The Board found that his service-connected conditions were not of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment in keeping with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities for the period on appeal prior to January 9, 2007. The Board found that he had one disability rated at 60 percent (hypertension) and a combined rating of 80 percent, effective from September 15, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.