Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to her ability to care for herself and protect herself from daily hazards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case to schedule a videoconference hearing at the VA RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Veteran failed to appear for his scheduled July 16, 2014 hearing due to transportation issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to an administrative error in scheduling a hearing before the Board. The Veteran's request for a hearing is still pending and needs to be rescheduled.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disorder with spondylosis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a heart condition based on new evidence. However, as there is no confirmed exposure to herbicides or other Agent Orange-like agents during service, and no in-service symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions, the Board finds that service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the July 2010 rating decision does not meet the threshold burden of being new and material to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and the TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, retinopathy, and neuropathy have resulted in a combined 100% disability rating. The Board has granted a 60% rating for diabetes mellitus and TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, which constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The issues of service connection for a neck disorder and higher disability ratings for PTSD and gastroparesis and GERD are being remanded.

The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for the claimed conditions and denied service connection based on lack of a nexus to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver cancer, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, a bladder disability, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from June 5, 2009, to April 25, 2013. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during this timeframe.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's type II diabetes was caused by his exposure to dioxins in service, and his left foot neuropathy is due to his service-connected type II diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for PTSD and to ensure all relevant treatment records are obtained. The issues of initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities will be returned to the Board after issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal and therefore, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.