Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine condition is also granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities has been rated as moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating for each affected extremity. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension (secondary to diabetes), peripheral neuropathy (secondary to diabetes and/or low back disability), a bilateral eye condition (secondary to diabetes), and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The AOJ did not provide proper notice of the unavailability of SSA records as required by regulations.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his active military service or to his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disorders.

The Veteran's right ulnar disability and left ulnar disability are rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings warranted under applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's left thoracic outlet syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various lower and upper extremity disorders, including peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a left foot disorder. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol dependence is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, and his non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also service-connected as a result of his alcohol dependence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to determine whether the Veteran's neurological symptoms are related to his service-connected residuals of a right distal ulna fracture and to distinguish between symptomatology resulting from the disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral claw foot (pes cavus) with hammertoe deformities and sural hypertrophic neuropathy, as well as his TDIU claim. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or related to military service. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma, cataracts, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service records and need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, right elbow disability, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction and upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity that is attributable to his service-connected left shoulder arthritis, and thus denied both claims.