Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, which was dismissed as a result.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for a neurological condition of the bilateral upper extremities and for a left knee disability. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy, lung cancer (if present), diabetes, and chronic kidney disease are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for diabetes and the grant of service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy. However, there is no separate rating for diabetic chronic kidney disease as it is considered a complication of diabetes. The psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent but not in excess of that level.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's upper extremity disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy of the feet and legs, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and depression due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on ships off the coast of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for a headache condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a stroke is granted. Ratings are granted for instability and arthritis in the right knee, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's left and right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as his left and right lower sciatic nerve and femoral nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathies have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each from the effective dates specified.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy on a secondary basis as it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence of exposure or a direct link to service. The claim for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder is remanded as there may have been a material change in the disability since the last examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and its associated neuropathies due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents in service, and because the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 20 percent from May 9, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of urinary incontinence, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service-connected back disability prevents him from working in sedentary positions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, gastritis, frostbite of the fingertips and toes, and diabetic neuropathy. The appeals are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, secondary to diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, secondary to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to treatment he received for his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU.