Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to render him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board finds that the service-connected frostbite residuals did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death, as determined by a VA physician. The primary cause of death was COPD, which is not related to the service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an additional disability involving his right foot following the October 2007 endoscopic plantar fasciotomy, and thus, he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his diabetes. He is also granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU issue will be considered as part of this process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure and secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lung cancer and polyneuropathy were not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or other exposures. The Board found that the most likely cause of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is alcohol abuse and vascular disease.

The Veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy and lumbosacral strain has been granted, with the effective date set at March 18, 1972. The issue of an initial evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2007. The claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn during the hearing. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were granted with initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection, depression ratings, lumbar spine, right lower extremity neuropathy, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and is not related to any incident of active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities did not manifest during service or as a result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as well as an opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, combine to render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment since April 6, 2015. His diabetes requires regulation of dietary activities but not restriction of physical activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased staged evaluation for the service-connected lumbar paravertebral myositis and entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR).