Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a valid claim prior to March 2004, and thus no CUE was found in the August 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with daily activities such as feeding himself, keeping himself clean, and protecting himself from environmental hazards.

The Veteran was granted higher initial ratings for his right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy from May 18, 2009 to April 2, 2015.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency of hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers. His service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were also considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the appellant lacks qualifying service with the Armed Forces and is ineligible for any award of VA compensation benefits, including reopening a service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are also denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's left below the knee amputation (BKA) is rated as 60% disabling, effective January 11, 2007.,Hypertension is currently rated at 10%, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10%. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy from February 5, 2009 to June 13, 2012 was withdrawn prior to the Board decision. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 100% since October 19, 2012.,Veteran's PTSD with MDD has been rated at 70% from November 6, 2007 to October 19, 2012. The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities was rated at 10 percent from March 19, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his service-connected back condition was granted, with the disability rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy with history of cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lung disorder (bronchitis and asthma), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was assigned for diabetes mellitus, which is the highest available under VA regulations.