Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's current mood disorder is found to be secondary to chronic pain associated with his service-connected orthopedic disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. His associated peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his CIDP, are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, acting alone, require the need of assistance for daily activities such as hygiene and medication management. The Board finds that aid and attendance is warranted solely because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities as a result of his diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, related to his diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have not met the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period. The Veteran's hypertension has also not been found to warrant an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the award of TDIU benefits should be November 24, 2008, but no earlier.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dementia due to diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is not due to VA care, treatment or examination and therefore does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including erectile dysfunction. The Veteran was not granted a compensable evaluation for his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's alcohol dependence as a result of his PTSD caused his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with the right thumb strain receiving a 10% rating and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss each receiving a separate 10% rating. The effective date remains unchanged at April 30, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including the adjudication of service connection claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a cardiac condition, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and sleep apnea. The RO will also provide the Veteran with VA examinations and opinions in connection with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure in Guam or Vietnam. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes and related neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation, as well as the issues of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.