Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty in the diagnosis of the Veteran's neurological disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The case is being remanded to consider a claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the 5th and 7th left cranial nerves with fracture of the left facial bones and scars of the left face is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The stricture of the left external auditory canal is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and denied his claims for service connection. The other issues were also addressed but are not included here.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated as noncompensable, but the VA examiner found that he still experiences pain and stiffness in his feet despite using orthotics. The Veteran should receive a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, while serious and requiring the use of a wheelchair or prosthetic leg, do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits due to permanent and total disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity, which he claims is related to his service-connected status-post right distal clavicle resection with chronic rotator cuff tendonitis. The case is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spinal disability is rated at 40 percent since April 2, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disability, along with associated upper and lower extremity sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, are less likely than not related to his military service, specifically to paratrooping (repeated jumps) and parachuting injury in one incident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right leg weakness, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and a right knee disorder. The appeals were remanded by the Court due to issues with the decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not serve in Vietnam and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange. The Board also found that his claimed conditions were not present during service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher evaluations or a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity and nerve damage status post removal of traumatic neuroma of the right foot was granted, with effective dates set at June 14, 2006. The initial ratings assigned were 10 percent for sensory neuropathy and 20 percent for nerve damage.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no pending claim prior to the May 19, 2006 submission of his application.,Similar to the first issue, the second issue regarding right hand weakness also had no pending claim prior to the May 19, 2006 submission.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities warrants a 10 percent disability rating, and any higher ratings are not warranted.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. However, service connection for CVA residuals other than residual peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities remains unresolved.