Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, loss of teeth, esophageal stricture, dizziness and instability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and a disability residual to asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that his current conditions were not related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no legal basis to award higher ratings or secondary service connection. The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, tinnitus at maximum schedular rating (10%), diabetes mellitus at 20%, diabetic neuropathy of both upper extremities at 10% each, and major depressive disorder was not found to be related to his diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral thigh neuropathy disorder, back disorder, and sleep disorder are not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing medical treatment. Therefore, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied each of his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted higher initial ratings of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the veteran's lower extremities, finding moderate incomplete paralysis in both legs.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not a residual of cold injury sustained in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, left leg disability, and peripheral neuropathy. The claim for low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The left leg disability is considered unrelated to his period of active service. Peripheral neuropathy is also considered unrelated to his period of active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the hands was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not secondary to his service-connected disability of arthritis of the lumbar spine with bulging discs. The claim for a bilateral knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected disability of arthritis of the lumbar spine with bulging discs has also been denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all claims, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, adenomatous polyps, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, and a rash. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative changes of the cervical spine. The decision found no evidence to support these claims.

The case is being remanded for the following: (1) obtaining outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records that may be relevant to the issues on appeal and (2) providing notification in compliance with Kent v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 1 (2006).

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hypertension and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are separately rated at 10 percent. The RO increased these ratings to 40 percent effective May 4, 2007. The veteran's PTSD remains at initial evaluations greater than 30 percent for the first period and greater than 50 percent from June 28, 2004 onwards.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to lack of anatomical loss or use of a hand or foot, nor is there permanent impairment of vision.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the veteran's CIDP is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including for a VA examination regarding his PTSD, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension.