Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was therefore not exposed to herbicides. As a result, service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and cardiovascular disease (CAD) cannot be granted based on presumptive exposure or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated at 10 percent before April 5, 2010 and at 20 percent effective April 5, 2010. The Veteran's diabetic nephropathy with aggravated essential hypertension has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions and any other potentially related conditions contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not related to his active service and was not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral leg and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, meeting the threshold requirement for TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in property management and self-employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, including nerve damage and generalized peripheral neuropathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely due to a right shoulder injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in his need for regular aid and attendance, including the inability to dress or undress himself, the inability to attend to his hygiene, the need to frequently adjust any special prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, the inability to feed himself or attend to the wants of nature, the incapacity to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment; and the Veteran is not bedridden.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, and tinnitus, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as neuropathy, gout, and pes planovalgus, was incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, to include restoration of a 40 percent disability rating, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim for TDIU benefits as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding the current residuals of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. Additionally, VA must attempt to obtain all relevant medical records from Fort Campbell.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus, type II, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left upper extremity disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is about an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation for the loss of use of his left hand, which was previously granted on November 13, 1991. The case has been remanded to correct a procedural defect in how this issue was addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to an increased rating for left lower extremity inguinal nerve neuropathy or left inguinal hernia.