Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine whether his National Guard service was federal or state in nature. The hearing loss disability claim is also being remanded as a new opinion is required from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) and require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet are being remanded due to outstanding service personnel records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The evidence received since the July 2004 decision includes VA medical records showing that the Veteran has chronic peripheral neuropathy related to his service-connected DM.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin and a restricted diet, is currently rated at 40 percent. This meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 22, 1998 for the grant of service connection for bronchial asthma. The claim for earlier effective date for a higher rating for bronchial asthma is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were granted. The claim for hypertension was not adjudicated by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 26, 2008 did not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for bronchitis and a left foot disorder. The remaining issues have not been decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to discrepancies in his service records and the need for further clarification of his service history. The VA will obtain any outstanding treatment records, clarify his service location during the relevant time period, and schedule him for a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the October 2005 rating decision granting service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus upholding the original award.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for prostate cancer is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and an inadequate VA examination report.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA medical opinion regarding his heart disorder.