Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure during his active military service in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with right arm neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis or organic disease of the nervous system may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

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The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings related to his lumbar spine disability, including polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise, with the Veteran prevailing, and grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, major depression, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating has been 70 percent or higher since June 20, 2005, meeting the threshold requirement for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for further medical development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disorder is related to his service-connected right leg disorder and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 29, 2008. However, prior to that date, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the legs is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted as service-connected, with diabetes mellitus being presumed due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities is being considered secondary to service-connected disabilities, but the specific nature of these connections remains unclear.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations addressing the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, the claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the lower extremities, degenerative vision, and decreased libido as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his military service, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure. Additionally, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to underlying Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed disabilities and military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for an award of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) since he does not have a combined disability evaluation of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that while the Veteran has suffered residual disability as a result of his service-connected disabilities, the probative evidence is against a finding that he is unemployable solely due to his service- connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disability causes loss of use of both lower extremities, such that he requires a wheelchair for locomotion. As his combined disability rating is 100%, he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptation grant.