Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's tinnitus, lipomas, diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, and scars. The effective date claim is deferred until the other claims are fully developed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from hazards without regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities due to additional evidence received and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO needs to arrange for VA examinations and opinions regarding his current employment status.

The veteran does not have a current right ankle or tibia/fibula disability related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current residual disability from the in-service right tibia/fibula fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, a skin rash, paresthesias, or peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities that are related to his military service. The veteran's impotence is also denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of such service.

The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The RO has ordered further development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA psychiatric and neurological examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, impotence, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hearing loss of the left ear, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The claim for a compensable rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity was granted but with an initial noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the September 2003 rating decision, which granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and assigned a 20% rating, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The veteran's appeal regarding a separate evaluation for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II. The secondary service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was also denied as there is no evidence suggesting a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disability and skin rashes, all presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The Board also denied service connection for neuropathy of the hands and feet as well as loss of sense of smell.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus, effective from August 23, 2007. The veteran's claim is denied prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's avulsion and neuropathy of the left musculocutaneous nerve warrants a disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.