Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculitis of the left leg disabilities. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right leg is also found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of VA treatment records from the 1970s, which are crucial to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II was incurred in service and has been linked to his secondary conditions including peripheral neuropathy, osteomyelitis of the bilateral feet, a kidney condition, and diabetic retinopathy. Service connection is granted for all claims.

The Board found no evidence of in-country service or presumed exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to VA nonservice-connected pension benefits from April 1, 2008 due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment by reasons of his disabilities.

The Veteran's left little finger digital neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on additional factors such as pain or weakness.

The Board has dismissed the issues regarding loss of toenail and fingernail, as well as the issue to reopen service connection for stress fractures. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2015, and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not found to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident residuals, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA examinations and review of outpatient records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a complete list of his post-service employment history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and opinion regarding his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder, hypertension, mini-strokes, and peripheral neuropathy. The gastric disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling since February 16, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and possibly a new examination, as the current records may not provide sufficient information for a clear determination of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities are not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her combined service-connected disabilities, which include migraines, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, thoracolumbar levoscoliosis and herniated nucleus pulposus, hypertension, coccyx neuropathy, and a scar. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her combined service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his back condition and lower extremity neuropathy.