Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected low back disability with neuropathy is rated as 60 percent disabling, which satisfies the schedular threshold for consideration of a TDIU. The Board determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance or special home adaptation grant, automobile and adaptive equipment, or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hip condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service, particularly given the presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's hiatal hernia has been rated at 10 percent since February 6, 2008. The Board also granted service connection for left arm palsy with symptoms of radial nerve weakness and ulnar neuropathy.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims for retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, which are secondary to diabetes mellitus, were also denied as there is no evidence of these conditions being related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's hypertension was not incurred during active service and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy has not been diagnosed, and the earliest evidence of a diagnosis is several years after separation from service.,Spermatocele was first clinically confirmed during a period of IDT following a motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted based on this history.,PTSD does not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,Cervical contusion and sprain have been manifested by moderate limitation of motion with no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.,Lumbar spine contusion and strain with radiculopathy were manifested by characteristic pain on motion with slight to severe limitations in motion, but without incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prior or since February 24, 2006.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type I, with retinopathy and for evaluations in excess of 60 percent for diabetes mellitus, type I, with retinopathy. The claim for residuals of Graves' disease is also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for epicondylitis of the right elbow, post-surgical residuals of subluxation at the right radial ulnar joint, and peripheral neuropathy of the right ulnar nerve were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The veteran's peripheral polyneuropathy is not considered to have been caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar fault. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 has been denied.

The veteran's claim for separate 10 percent evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied as the criteria were not met prior to April 4, 2006.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's Type I diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy, which was previously evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy and COPD are not related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet is not related to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, recurrent cardiac dysrhythmias due to ischemic heart disease and coronary heart disease, was not related to his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been rated based on its severity. Prior to July 13, 2005, a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted for either lower extremity. From July 13, 2005, a higher rating than 30 percent is also not supported by the evidence. The veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from left leg neuropathy and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus, the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code. The veteran's disability from diabetes is not more nearly approximated by a higher rating due to complications such as hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has not provided evidence that his conditions prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.