Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a right hand disability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the Veteran's treatment records, specifically focusing on his April 2002 surgical procedure. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining recent VA outpatient records and readjudicating the issues with consideration of all evidence received since the 2011 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, but the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as he was able to maintain employment until May 31, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a VA Disability Benefits Questionnaire and additional development regarding his small fiber neuropathy, bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus type II or bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to service connection, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and bilateral upper extremities was denied as there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, left patella status post meniscectomy, chondromalacia of the left knee with mild DJD, or left hip disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and headaches, prevented him from working as of March 27, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants TDIU effective March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's CAD with congestive heart failure and bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy are etiologically related to an unknown viral infection contracted in-service. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and peripheral neuropathy of both shoulders were denied effective from June 18, 2003.,Claims for right and left wrist osteoarthritis were also denied effective from February 20, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and an opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spurs, are rated at 30 percent from April 8, 2011 to March 12, 2014. As of March 13, 2014, the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 50 percent and his bilateral pes cavus is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neuropathy is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.