Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of the Veteran's intent regarding potential service connection claims and seeking relevant medical records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his neuropathy of the lower extremities is not considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a prostate disorder. The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling prior to November 9, 2009, and 70 percent disabling from January 1, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the right third metacarpal.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to the VLJ who conducted the February 2011 hearing no longer being employed.

The RO denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is causally related to service. His diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal insufficiency with anemia (renal disorder), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic maculopathy, with bilateral mature cataracts (eye disorder), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all secondary to his diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected sleep impairment, including insomnia. The Veteran's reported symptoms were attributed to his diagnosed psychiatric and alcohol dependence disorders.,There is no evidence linking the bilateral upper and lower extremity numbness to Agent Orange exposure or any other presumptive basis.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity. These conditions are all believed to have been incurred during active service due to exposure to cold weather.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to herbicides during active duty in Thailand and obtain VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy as part of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted, with an effective date of May 17, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension is granted as these conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is related to a B-12 deficiency which had its origins during active service.

The Veteran's current pulmonary disorder had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy as a manifestation of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to evaluate complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and right eye diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were increased to 20 percent prior to November 18, 2011, and to 40 percent from that date. The decision also addressed issues regarding higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, which are remanded.