Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of loss of use or amputation that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by herniated discs and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been rated at 60 percent since November 1995. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and a TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain SSA records, service personnel records, and VA examinations for the ear disability, head trauma, and human bite claims. Additionally, a VA examination is required to address the left shoulder disorder and cervical spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for independent living services under Chapter 31 of Title 38, U.S.C., due to his current service-connected conditions and lack of feasibility in achieving a vocational goal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the need for a combined effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unemployable due to his mental health condition.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant and his authorized representative, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to issues regarding the Veteran's employability based on his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now with the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right shoulder. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus prior to February 4, 2014 was denied. The effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have been denied as there is no competent credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development regarding his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CIDP is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders prior to March 12, 2013 is denied as the Under Secretary for Benefits and the Director of Compensation Service have no authority to assign such an evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding whether his current diagnoses of plantar fasciitis and right median nerve motor axonal neuropathy were related to his military service or if they were aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's employment with the United States Postal Service ended on November 18, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that he was not precluded from substantially gainful employment prior to this date.