Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in service and thus denied the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy as not related to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's left ankle and nerve disabilities have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since December 2011, prior to his January 9, 2012 surgery. After this date, he is entitled to a higher disability rating based on loss of use of the left foot.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any vascular disability of the left lower extremity, including chronic venous insufficiency or peripheral vascular disease. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for polyarthralgia, vision problems, hair loss, confusion and memory problems, and deterioration of the nervous system due to carbon tetrachloride exposure. The case is remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and affording the Veteran a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to his military service.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not considered secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's duty status on March 8, 1995 and requests for additional medical records. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable evaluation for aortic aneurysm, or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to April 14, 2005, and 20 percent thereafter, for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's end stage renal failure did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The amputation was deemed necessary due to worsening diabetic ulcers and infection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be proximately caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private medical records and reviewing VA examination reports and treatment records. The issue remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ulnar compressive neuropathy was incurred in or caused by his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated appropriately, and no higher ratings are warranted.