Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has resulted in occupational and social impairment that warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The TDIU claim will be deferred pending resolution of the frostbite claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, kidney disease, erectile dysfunction, and coronary artery disease with angina are presumed to be related to his military service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his periods of active duty and National Guard service, obtaining private treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability is not related to his active duty service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have been rated based on their severity. The ratings are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left medial ankle surgical scar and neuropathy of the calcaneal branch of the posterior tibial nerve, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, acting on their own, do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance. Therefore, he is not entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy related to diabetes or service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 12, 2009. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the previous VA medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective from April 4, 2014. The claim for service connection is now considered substantiated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating all claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, but not for residuals of a stroke.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and emphysema, but there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the right hand due to service-connected conditions was denied as his disability does not meet the definition of 'loss of use' as defined by VA.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening a diabetes mellitus claim and service connection for various conditions secondary to diabetes.