Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that there is no nexus between the Veteran's current right elbow condition and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and increased rating claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no causal link between his disabilities and his active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, specifically diverticulitis and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his right upper and left upper extremity conditions, have been rated at their highest possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, and he is eligible for TDIU benefits beginning May 2012. His diabetes mellitus II and PTSD are also service-connected, but do not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a schedular evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals in their entirety prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee instability and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of both feet and necessitate regular aid and attendance. As such, he is entitled to SMC at the higher rates under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(l) and (r)(1).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Board will attempt to corroborate his lay statements and provide an adequate statement of reasons for bases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling but not in excess of that level.

The Veteran's kidney dysfunction is not service-connected, as his current diagnosis of medullary sponge kidney with recurrent urinary calculi and polycystic kidney disease was not caused by his diabetes.,His diabetes has been rated at 60% since February 17, 2004, and at 10% for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity since March 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% rating for depression effective January 30, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities on a secondary basis to his service-connected pes planus. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to March 7, 2012, and 50 percent disabling beginning March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include a disability rated as permanent and total, thus he does not meet the legal criteria for entitlement to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative withdrew their claims prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him prior to August 5, 2014.