Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 21, 2009, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(s).

The Board finds an approximate balance of favorable and unfavorable evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity disorder (claimed as right leg idiopathic peripheral neuropathy), and right knee disorder. The decision is mixed.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy has been rated at 30 percent since February 5, 2013. The condition is characterized by significant numbness and tingling of the left arm, hand, and fingers with incomplete paralysis of the radial, median, ulnar, and musculocutaneous nerve.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with early neuropathy, cortical cataracts and nephropathy and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability, diagnosed as acquired spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis with radiculopathy/neuropathy, and degenerative disc disease, is causally related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, claimed as cold injury residuals, was denied because there is no evidence showing that the current condition had its onset during service or is related to a cold exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and cirrhosis of the liver could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both legs was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for this evaluation.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but not for a home adaptation grant as he is already eligible for the former.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his bilateral peripheral neurological disorder of the lower extremities. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to service or any incident therein, and denied his claim. The Board also found that left lower extremity radiculopathy was caused by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity that they precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 29, 2012.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, with each segment rated at 30 percent effective April 12, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic nephropathy have been rated as appropriate under the applicable diagnostic codes. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to obtain any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities or erectile dysfunction related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied all claims for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neurological disability is related to his service-connected left shoulder injury residuals. Additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the February 2013 examination, is required.