Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

For the period of increased rating claim from September 29, 2005, the veteran's right cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy has been manifested by subjective complaints of numbness and constant pain, resulting in disability comparable to moderate incomplete paralysis of the major ulnar nerve. The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for this condition.

The veteran's left medial nerve neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that his current auditory thresholds did not meet the criteria for VA disability benefits. The RO must be remanded to provide an examination assessing both speech recognition and auditory threshold levels.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus, type II, was not rated higher than 20 percent. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. Peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was also not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus (Type II) will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, there is no evidence linking the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity to his military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, finding that there was no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities is not related to service or any presumptive exposure, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetic neuropathy with hypertension does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as it only meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7541.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right lower extremity neuropathy is not related to his time in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral testicular atrophy with epididymitis and left ulnar neuropathy are currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluations. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, post-concussive syndrome, temporal lobe seizures, neuropathy of the left common peroneal nerve, left ankle fracture, right ear hearing loss, balance disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The appeals are denied.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 21, 2006. The medical evidence supports the finding that he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining National Guard records. The veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, edema of the lower extremities, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left eye disorder, and right eye disorder are not etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease is considered secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding it not causally or etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability. The veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent since March 8, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's diabetes mellitus and its related complications (nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy).