Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is a procedural defect and requires the RO to prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing new evidence received since the May 2007 SSOC.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal disorder, hypertension, chronic heart disorder, and peripheral neuropathy as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were found to be mildly disabling, warranting a 10 percent rating for each lower extremity.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 30 percent since October 2000. The RO found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they have consistently been described as severe incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for cervical disc disease and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction, as there was no deformity of the penis.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus was also denied as it only requires treatment with a restricted diet.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, depression and anxiety, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and right great toe disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's Behcet's Syndrome is rated at 60 percent for skin manifestations, with additional ratings assigned for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (50%), tongue lesions (30%), and neuropathy of the lower extremities (20% each). The adjustment disorder is noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not manifested by severe incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does he have a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder and associated neuropathies of the lower extremities. The initial evaluations assigned are 10 percent each, with no higher ratings being warranted based on current evidence.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder of the left upper hip and calf, to include as due to inservice exposure to herbicide agents, and entitlement to service connection for dermatitis of the face, to include as due to inservice exposure to herbicide agents, has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a jaw disability, scar on the right side of the chin with neuropathy, loss of teeth, and loss of feeling inside the mouth are not supported by evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, stomach ulcer, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral artery disease and pernicious neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for various conditions, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to service, but his COPD is not related to service or exposure to herbicides and asbestos.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use an electric scooter, walker, or cane as a normal mode of locomotion.