Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities results in complete anesthesia covering the entire dorsum of both feet and toes, which is equivalent to loss of use of a foot for purposes of an automobile and specially adapted equipment certificate. The criteria for such entitlement have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, all to include as due to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's residuals of surgery, dorsal nerve entrapment, left foot have not resulted in more than moderately severe injury or symptoms that warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran does not have additional disability of permanent nerve or muscle damage of the right upper arm resulting from VA medical treatment involving EMG/NC study in September 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet is service-connected due to exposure to jet fuel during his military service. The benign cranial tumor, headaches, and bilateral eye disability are not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to and after March 30, 2011. The RO will consider whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment given all of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between any current lumbar spine disorder and active service, as well as whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is secondary to his lumbar spine disorder. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of cold exposure, including peripheral neuropathy and cold injury to the upper and lower extremities. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions were related to his in-service cold exposure.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 27, 2010. After that date, there is no evidence showing severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscle atrophy in either leg.

The Veteran's blindness/loss of use of the eyes is not deemed to be due to VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The disability was found to be a complication of her service-connected Graves' disease.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is moot as the Veteran is already eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's disability on appeal has not been manifested by complete paralysis or severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscle atrophy, and therefore the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and his symptoms are related to post-service injury, not service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities are of such severity that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which is presumed due to herbicide exposure. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset in active service or is otherwise causally related to his period of military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pernicious anemia and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity beginning September 12, 2006 and for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity beginning September 12, 2006.

The Board has determined that the purchase of a home therapy spa is necessary to help promote the Veteran's independence in daily life due to his severe disabilities, including diabetes and neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by polyneuropathy, to include Guillain-Barre Syndrome, that is related to service.