Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and has also granted a 20 percent rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure. The RO must obtain VA treatment records and ensure the veteran provides any additional evidence necessary to support his claim. A VA neurological examination will be scheduled to determine if current peripheral neuropathy is related to service or medication use in service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right ulnar nerve and right forearm and hand injury.

The Board has ordered a remand due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's lower extremity complaints, specifically peripheral neuropathy. The case will be returned for further examination and clarification.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of left eye disability, depression, or peripheral neuropathy of either upper or lower extremities. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine. The RO granted a 10% rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and denied an increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with disc bulging.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The RO found that his conditions did not warrant higher initial or staged ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the right hand and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claims for initial compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for tinnitus, are being remanded to complete the appeal process.

The veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The claim for housebound status benefits is moot as the aid and attendance rate is greater. Specially adapted housing and home adaptation grant claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility requirements under the law.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 90%, but the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board is requesting additional information to determine if the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Korea, which could affect his claims for secondary service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the DRO and further development of his claims.

The veteran's cold injury residuals are rated at the maximum scheduler rate of 30 percent for each lower extremity, and his peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent for each lower extremity.,Both conditions have not manifested with more severe symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue to the AOJ for additional development due to a change in the hearing officer.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's left arm ulnar neuropathy is rated at 30 percent since October 16, 2006. The right knee disability with torn medial meniscus and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating for his scars of the left hand or peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or direct causation.