Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neurological disorders are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have neuropathy of the feet that is attributable to his active military service. The Board finds that the Veteran's neuropathy did not manifest for many years after his discharge from service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral eye disorders and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. With full consideration of his educational background and occupational experience, the Board finds that the Veteran is precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral upper extremity and left lower extremity numbness, were denied. The Board found that there was no competent evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's monoclonal paraproteinemia was not caused or aggravated by his service, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his monoclonal paraproteinemia, and the Board granted this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone require the regular use of a wheelchair.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left foot disorder, low back disorder, tendonitis of the right knee, and bilateral hearing loss were granted. The initial evaluations assigned prior to February 8, 2007, for left foot disorder are 20 percent; beginning February 8, 2007, they are 10 percent. For low back disorder, the initial evaluation is 30 percent beginning March 31, 2011. The right knee tendonitis initially received a noncompensable evaluation and then a 10 percent evaluation beginning March 11, 2008; it remains at a noncompensable evaluation for hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the extremities related to service or herbicide exposure, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities is related to service, including any exposure during active duty or National Guard service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current right leg and back disabilities to his active service, including any herbicide exposure. The claims were denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to a change in the hearing officer's employment status.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's claimed diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with a disability rating of 20% for the cervical spine condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional VA Medical Center records being added to the Veteran's claims file.