Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with neuropathy of the lower extremities is rated at 20 percent and his multiple subcutaneous lipomas are rated at 10 percent. The Board denied all issues as there was no evidence to support a higher rating for either condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left triceps with left ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being considered as secondary to his type II diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea/insomnia, chloracne as secondary to herbicide exposure, a cervical spine disability, and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran's complaints of these conditions were not found to be related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing and other procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, but denied earlier effective dates. The veteran's claims are based on direct service connection and not due to a presumption or new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding the veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, as there is insufficient evidence in the file to determine if it is related to service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA records and the need to obtain recent medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the left leg that is related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim for TDIU prior to August 28, 2003. The effective date remains May 20, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined disability evaluation is 60 percent and he does not meet the schedular criteria for consideration of a TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of a confirmed in-service stressor or combat-related PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right foot drop are proximately due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that an initial compensable rating for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with chronic low back pain and sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the low back disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperhidrosis, or residuals of cold injuries to either lower extremity.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to unclear self-care function impairment caused by service-connected disabilities versus nonservice-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and mixed hearing loss of the right ear as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy is rated at 60 percent since May 10, 2004 and the effective date for service connection has been set at May 8, 2001.