Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, effective July 7, 2011. The claim for PTSD was also granted with an initial 10 percent rating. Service connection for the low back disability is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left sided visual defect, to include optic neuropathy, is being remanded due to inadequate development of the medical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy requires regulation of activities due to its uncontrolled nature, which renders impractical the application of the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure.

The RO denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam is presumed.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, through his authorized representative. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity neurological disability and right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy do not warrant a compensable or higher rating, respectively.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during his active duty in Vietnam, and there is no evidence of a presumptive connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (claimed as tingling of the hands and feet), sexual impotence, and recurring increases in blood sugar levels were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination data, particularly regarding the extent of the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and retinopathy are denied as there is no diagnosed condition. The claim for service connection of bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right arm condition, specifically ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome), is related to his military service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service personnel records.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the fingers and toes has been in effect since October 11, 2006. The RO reduced the rating from 40 percent to 20 percent effective March 1, 2008.,The RO granted an earlier effective date for separate ratings of 10 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities since October 11, 2006.

The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to June 17, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension; and peripheral neuropathy of his hands and feet. The evidence did not show any in-service exposure to herbicides or other potential causative factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and cellulitis of the left lower leg, as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to inadequate examination report and missing VA treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right leg or right knee disorder present during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.