Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with a 20 percent initial rating. The Board also found that the criteria for a staged rating of 60 percent were met beginning December 11, 2007. However, his TDIU claim is not adjudicated as it has not been previously addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice, and the VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis is related to his service, and granted service connection for hepatitis. The claim of service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral peripheral neuropathy and left shoulder disability have been granted. The decision is based on direct evidence of a nexus to service, with no presumption applied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the feet was denied as he did not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence submitted since the April 2006 rating decision includes additional VA treatment records, private treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and lay statements that relate to an unestablished fact (the relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his service in Vietnam) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, reopening the previously denied claim based on new evidence. The appellant is now entitled to compensation for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic retinopathy which renders him legally blind, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and associated peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and impotence were pre-existing conditions that became manifest during service. The effective date for these benefits is set at August 17, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic neuropathy of the left (minor) medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm and left bicep does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his employment is due to nonservice-connected factors.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, including the service-connected peripheral neuropathy, is currently rated at 30 percent. The initial rating for the right thumb limitation of motion remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, which includes residuals of head trauma, compression fracture of the L1 vertebral body, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his condition. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment and daily activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and increased the rating for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right shoulder. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was also granted.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence of peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity or right upper extremity. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.