Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's left wrist ankylosis with ulnar neuropathy is not related to his service-connected left wrist disability and thus, denied. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an upper extremity neurological disorder, to include peripheral neuropathy, left cervical radiculopathy, and left ulnar neuropathy, that is attributable to active duty service or was caused or made worse by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg disability is not etiologically related to active service and is not shown by competent medical evidence to be etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination and adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wounds did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from cerebrovascular accident, as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is not service connected, as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service or due to his service-connected varicose veins. The condition may be presumed related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity does not meet the criteria for SMC based on loss of use of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including memory loss, neurological problems, cervical stenosis, and residuals of a thoracic spine compression fracture, are not related to his service-connected conditions or an in-service incident involving elevated arsenic levels. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased evaluations for various hand and wrist disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination findings, as well as any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and any outstanding private treatment records from Kaiser. The case will be reviewed by a VA examiner who will provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure, and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy in both the left and right lower extremities, based on incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and clarification of his exposure history.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeals related to service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four limbs.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right foot is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The Board found that peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities did not have its onset in service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except the initial rating of 50 percent for a psychiatric disorder, including a generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, as his combined service-connected disabilities (80% and later 90%) meet the criteria for a TDIU. The VA examiner found that all of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, aggravated his rosacea.