Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder and depression), but the other conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II does not require a higher rating as it does not necessitate insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities, and for further adjudication.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been found to be proximately due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's optic nerve disorder was caused by VA treatment, specifically an epidural steroid injection for back pain. The evidence does not establish fault on the part of VA, but the disability is compensable as it resulted from a foreseeable event.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and potential service connection issues related to the Veteran's death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separately diagnosed peripheral neuropathy in any extremity other than his service-connected Baxter's neuritis of the left foot. The symptoms he reports are attributed to his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected left ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent disabling from December 30, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and allergies are not service-connected, as they were not present in service or until years thereafter and are not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not show current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of diagnosed peripheral neuropathy during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin condition to include as secondary to exposure to herbicides due to incomplete development. The Veteran's attorney submitted additional evidence that was not initially considered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity and impairment of the service-connected left brachial plexus neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of Dr. Jon Whisler's March 2009 opinion and arranging for a neurological examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.