Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's Type-II diabetes mellitus was initially rated at 20 percent prior to February 8, 2010 and increased to 40 percent since then.,His peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity with rigidity and bradykinesis has been rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since that date. His right lower extremity condition was also rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2009 and increased to 40 percent since then.,The effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus is set at August 28, 1998.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations for certain conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and plantar fasciitis are service-connected, with no presumption applied due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral macular degeneration and major depressive disorder, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the time period since January 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left eye optic neuropathy and glaucoma are not related to his service-connected chalazion, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for polyneuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and he is entitled to a compensable evaluation for each affected nerve.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including cardiomyopathy, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, were not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating for service-connected conditions is at least 60%, which meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to an injury or disease, including exposure to Agent Orange, during active service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which she believes is secondary to her service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA has not provided a thorough examination or opinion regarding the etiology of her claimed condition.

The Veteran's right forearm disability was initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 7, 2011. As of that date, the rating was increased to 20 percent.,Effective June 7, 2011, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right forearm disability.

The Veteran was employed on a full-time basis until July 18, 2007. Therefore, his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, impotence, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address his claims of VA negligence in performing surgery and service connection for right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. The case will be reconsidered after the additional examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, hypertension, headaches, loss of memory, bilateral eye disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, otitis media, and meningitis. The new evidence received since the January 2004 decisions relates to the basis for the prior denials.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at 30 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating. The scars of the right forearm and hip do not meet the criteria for separate compensable ratings under current regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his noise exposure during active service and the Board has found that the evidence in favor of the claim is at least in equipoise with that against it. The claims for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy are remanded for additional development.