Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities is rated at 20 percent each, reflecting mild incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. His peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent, his peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity are each rated at 10 percent, and his erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable. His bilateral diabetic retinopathy of the eyes is also rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy of the bilateral hands was not caused or aggravated by cold exposure during active military service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's evaluations of 30 percent for peripheral neuropathy in each lower extremity, effective April 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any physical deformity of the penis in addition to the loss of erectile power.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication of his service connection claims, including consideration of recent VA treatment records and private medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM, cancer of the larynx/trachea, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective February 22, 2001. The Veteran's condition was severe enough to warrant a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and notification due to a lack of proper notice in previous decisions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, an increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all outstanding issues from appeal.

The Veteran seeks a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded as the current evidence does not adequately address whether his service-connected disabilities alone preclude locomotion and require the use of a wheelchair or other ambulatory assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his representation, obtaining outstanding VA medical records, and issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of increased rating and effective date.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability on the back, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), finding no current evidence of these conditions or their onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 90 percent and does not include one disability rated at least 40 percent. The Board finds that he can still obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's gait ataxia was not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to his active duty service or in-service exposure to herbicides. The Board found the evidence did not support a connection between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision-making process.