Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his tour in Vietnam were conducted under compelling circumstances, and thus did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, the character of the appellant's active duty service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction, as well as tinnitus, were denied. The claim for a TDIU is also on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of his military service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as being proximately due to, or the result of, service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claims for peripheral neuropathy and skin disorder, but denied service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was not granted for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case in connection with his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board found no current evidence of peripheral neuropathy or cellulitis, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's ulnar nerve neuropathy is currently rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the February 2011 operation. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and progression of his disability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting reports of upper extremity neuropathy and a need for clarification on its etiology. The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is presumed to have caused or aggravated his lower extremity neuropathy, but it remains unclear if he also has upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or herbicides, and thus denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus and vertigo, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected.,The Veteran's disability manifested by tinnitus and vertigo, and his peripheral neuropathy were caused by medical treatment furnished by the VA but were reasonably foreseeable and were not the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of the Department. Therefore, service connection is denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in etiology opinions and failure to address direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records. The Board will determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD, severance of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with retinopathy and neuropathy, requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Board finds that the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation are met.