Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet have been rated at 10 percent each. The claims for higher initial ratings were denied. However, the Veteran was granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical mycocytes, claimed as neck injury, due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between his current disability and an in-service injury. The lumbosacral strain with disk protrusion is not considered incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left foot neuropathy, residuals of a bunionectomy performed in June 1983 at the Kerrville VA Medical Center. The case is remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to determine if the current disability resulted from carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his unemployability and the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD; peripheral neuropathy; and a skin disability. The denial is based on lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for tuberculosis. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and is not proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disorder. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and his military service. The Veteran's current employment as a postal worker is considered to be more likely related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial disability ratings for his service-connected peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied. The conditions have been diagnosed as Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment prior to December 26, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is denied because there is no evidence showing that he served in Vietnam during active duty and his condition is not related to any incident or event in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is found to be related to his in-service experiences. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he required regular aid and assistance, nor was he considered permanently confined to his home.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 30 percent, reflecting severe incomplete paralysis. The left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Effective dates prior to April 13, 2006, were established for the grants of service connection for posterior subcapsular cataract in both eyes and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The Veteran was also awarded an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, for the grant of service connection for posterior subcapsular cataract in his right eye.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the January 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's toxic encephalopathy, bilateral peripheral vestibular loss, toxicant-induced loss of tolerance, sensorimotor and peripheral neuropathy, right frontal hypoperfusion, cognitive disability, dyssomnia, toxin-induced sleep disorder, and immune system injury were all incurred during her active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg and foot disability, to include claimed peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus has been denied. The case is now REMANDED due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his bilateral knee disabilities and gout, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.