Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been granted increased ratings. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was received on August 20, 2008. Effective this date, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for each lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, left and right lower sensory neuropathy, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, impairment of central visual acuity caused by complications from diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both hands. The Veteran's diabetes is rated at 40 percent, his vision disability at 10 percent, and each hand's neuropathy at 30 percent.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent since June 19, 2007. Prior to January 29, 2011, the disability was characterized by moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves. From January 29, 2011, the disability is characterized as moderately severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy has resulted in significant functional impairment and pain that affects his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, right wrist and hand disabilities, tinnitus, and erythema multiforme, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of July 16, 2012.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the claim for an effective date prior to June 3, 2013, for the award of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity because no notice of disagreement was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, headaches, right median neuropathy, and left ulnar and median neuropathy. The Veteran's complaints of these conditions during service and their continuity since separation from service are credible.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disabilities have approximated loss of use of the left hand, warranting a higher 60 percent rating on an extra-schedular basis and SMC based on consequent loss of use of the left hand.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for the Veteran's pilonidal cystectomy scar. The issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and a low back neurological or muscle disability were not addressed as they are considered 'unknown' due to lack of clear decision.

The Veteran is awarded SMC-O based on the need for two separate SMC-L awards due to loss of use of both feet and need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection has not been established for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his failure to complete the VA Form 21-8940 made it impossible for the Board to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal through signed statements submitted by his representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with bilateral upper extremity neurological manifestations is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a cold injury to the feet must be denied as there is no evidence of treatment or diagnosis related to such injuries during active duty. The current peripheral neuropathy diagnosed in his feet may be associated with in-service frostbite, but this cannot be conclusively established without additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 2, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity mononeuropathy and myositis ossificans, finding that these conditions are residuals of his service-connected fracture of the left arm.