Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if diabetes mellitus had its onset during service or is related to an in-service disease, event, or injury. Additionally, verification of herbicide exposure in Guam and at Offutt Air Force Base will be conducted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension and hepatomegaly, all found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The kidney disorder (including proteinuria) is not currently addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 30 percent, and his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, collapsed lung, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds no evidence to support a direct service connection claim for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran is also granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, as it was likely incurred within seven years of discharge from active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral leg disability are not related to service, while his skin disability (claimed as cellulitis of the groin) is presumed due to herbicide exposure. The claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of February 27, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care has been denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for any of the required levels of SMC.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of his upper or lower extremities secondary to his service-connected diabetes, and denied service connection for stage III kidney disease as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, gastroparesis, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy in both legs and arms, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's right ilio-inguinal sensory neuropathy is currently rated at the highest schedular rating possible under applicable criteria, and his claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, but the Veteran's appeal is not resolved as he has not expressed satisfaction with these decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities, including ulnar neuropathy, arthritis, and epicondylitis, are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right arm associated with her cervical spine disorder was granted, effective January 8, 2008.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is as likely as not due to herbicide exposure in service, while his lung disability is less likely related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to a finding that the severance was improper.

The most probative evidence of record does not reflect that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling conflicts for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.