Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new examination to address the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities is no more than moderate in severity, warranting a 30 percent rating for his right upper extremity and a 20 percent rating for his left. The effective date remains October 10, 2002.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is found to be proximately caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including peripheral neuropathy. The RO/AMC will arrange for an examination by a VA examiner and a neurologist.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, body rash, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for an eye disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for meralgia paresthetica with entrapment neuropathy, left leg was denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for diabetes and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, have not been substantiated. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma. His right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim was withdrawn during his August 2011 hearing.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right radius are currently rated at 20 percent, and his right ulnar neuropathy is rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for circulatory problems, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to medications taken for a service-connected low back disability. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and sinus condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus, type II, has been denied due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Veteran's SMC claim for need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities has been denied as there is no evidence showing he requires such assistance.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot conditions are not related to his military service and therefore denies his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further verification of the Veteran's periods of service, including any potential federalized service in February 1992. The claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), type II diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right tibia fracture residuals and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.