Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus II was denied. The RO granted service connection on a presumptive basis, but did not assign an effective date prior to June 3, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination by a board certified neurologist to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the Veteran's right hand disabilities, as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's current upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the VA to provide a hearing representative on his behalf and allow submission of additional evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and left occipital area fragment wound with chronic headaches and trigeminal neuropathy preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PVD of the upper and lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities, and chronic dermatitis. The decision also addressed a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease and post-operative scarring.

The Veteran's service-connected sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2011 and increased to 20 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence warranting an increase in rating beyond these levels.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, bilateral knee replacements, lumbar fusion, blurred vision and glaucoma (secondary to diabetes), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (also secondary to diabetes).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a more current VA opinion on his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as the left and right upper extremities, all secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, status post lumbar spine fusion, with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation under the amended criteria.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective October 15, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not conclusively show he was unable to secure or follow gainful employment until the October 2012 VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion to address the current functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to service, including his presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy, and a peripheral circulatory disorder, all presumed to be related to the Veteran's military service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA medical records and to provide him with a VA examination for his hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The examiner will be asked to determine if these conditions are related to service, including presumed Agent Orange exposure.