Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and diabetic neuropathy are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show exposure to herbicides or any other service connection basis.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU on June 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 40 percent. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are also in effect but do not meet the criteria for higher staged ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and left knee disability, as well as service connection for PTSD. The effective dates for these awards were set to November 25, 2009.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left upper extremity neurological disability, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy and peripheral neuropathy, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus and a neurological disorder of the upper and lower extremities, to include peripheral neuropathy and/or CIDP, were denied as they are not related to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine DDD and associated peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from January 28, 2005.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and major depression, rendered him unable to engage in or retain substantially gainful employment during the period from October 23, 2008, to June 2, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA general medical examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service, including any exposure or treatment during service. The opinion concluded that the condition was more likely secondary to ankylosing spondylitis/Marie Strumpell disease, which developed after service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist disability and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted, with the left wrist disability rated at 70% from September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of shrapnel wounds and neuropathy are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional records related to the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically regarding his exposure to herbicides and his service in Vietnam. The Veteran claims he set foot in Vietnam while on board the USS Southerland.

The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective October 20, 2008.,The Veteran's diabetic polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity was also granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating and are likely to preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.