Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with root compression due to spondylolisthesis is rated at 20 percent prior to April 1, 2009 and at 40 percent from that date. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since August 17, 2011. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent since August 15, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine the nature of the Veteran's service in February 1992 and to ensure that all records are obtained, including those from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment status and financial income throughout the appeal period, as well as a determination of whether he meets the income eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his relocation, and he needs a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the appropriate Regional Office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was rated at 20 percent disabling, while radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were each rated at 20 percent disabling as of June 11, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 2005, and the Board is granting a higher rating of 70 percent effective June 15, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea of the hands and feet is granted an increased rating to 60 percent. The Board also grants secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The neuropathy in her right upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, which was less than the maximum available rating under DC 8516. Her right shoulder disorder and fibrous mass excision to the right breast are not related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the service connection for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, as well as diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, should be restored from their initial grant dates.

The Veteran's seven service connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), and his combined rating is currently at 80 percent, effective from September 2011.

The Veteran's right tibia disability and associated nerve damage have been evaluated as noncompensable. The claim for TDIU has not met the criteria for an effective date prior to May 9, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding that there was no evidence of pre-existing diabetes prior to prednisone use.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination by an endocrinologist to determine the etiology of any current neurological disorder of the upper extremities and whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable initial evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes has been denied as the Veteran failed to attend his scheduled VA examination without providing any reason.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 22, 2007. As such, an effective date earlier than October 22, 2007 for a TDIU is not factually ascertainable.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for a review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated.