Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and determination of whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disorder was found to be related to his service-connected left knee disorder, but the lumbar spine disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are not considered service connected. Service connection for Parkinson's disease due to in-service herbicide exposure is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was granted with an effective date of September 8, 2005. The claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for loss of use of either hand or foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing and adaptive equipment benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for neuropathy and heart disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for his right wrist disability from April 12, 2007 to August 7, 2008 was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating. Since October 1, 2008, the Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to service, and his retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy with peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 40 percent since March 17, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus with neuropathy, finding no evidence of a diagnosis during service or within the first year after separation, and rejecting the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and initial rating for lumbar spinal stenosis due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's son, G.B., was not permanently incapable of self-support at age 18 due to his medical conditions, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The evidence did not establish permanent incapacity prior to reaching the age of 18.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of both feet and additional allowance for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a genitourinary disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claims for increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no prior claim or evidence of entitlement to these benefits before the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.