Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a fall in service. The veteran's other claims are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current osteomyelitis and peripheral neuropathy of the feet are related to a cold injury he sustained during service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and hematuria as a result of exposure to herbicides. The veteran's claims for spot on the lungs, benign prostatic hypertrophy, vision problems, and hematuria were also denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, and his service connection claim for herbicide exposure-related conditions was also denied due to lack of evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected right and left great toe disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding no new and material evidence. The RO confirmed this decision in June 2003.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support granting any of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service medical records are not available and have been requested. The RO is also instructed to determine if the veteran is receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, as any such records should be obtained and associated with the claims folder. The veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA neurological examination to determine whether he currently suffers from diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has granted an increased rating to a 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, which now requires insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address these claims.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding no evidence of their onset or causation during active duty.

The veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent effective from August 7, 1997. He also has a separate 10 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his request for increased evaluations for stress fractures. The decision also noted that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture are not productive of ankylosis, non-union of the radius or ulna or more than mild sensory impairment. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected scar of the left leg with residuals of sensory neuropathy in the saphenous nerve does not result in more disability than that associated with severe saphenous nerve paralysis, and thus denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO granted the initial compensable evaluations, but did not address the issues on appeal.