Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for right wrist neuropathy, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus on the basis of aggravation during active duty and for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease and a disorder of the lumbar spine (previously diagnosed as right sciatic neuropathy). The other issues were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including peripheral neuropathy and chloracne related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right eye blindness and optic neuropathy, finding that no application to reopen was filed before August 27, 1998.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of whether any current neurological symptoms can be solely attributable to the low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition related to exposure to herbicides for any of the claimed conditions. The veteran's dizziness was attributed to hypotension, and peripheral neuropathy was not considered acute or subacute as required by VA regulations. Service connection could not be granted based on presumptive exposure due to lack of qualifying time in Vietnam.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the extremities is related to service exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and postoperative left inguinal hernia due to lack of timely Substantive Appeal. The ilio-inguinal neuropathy claim is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not present in service or until years after, and is not etiologically related to his exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability, and his claim for TDIU is denied. The cause of death due to claimed in-service radiation exposure or herbicide cannot be established.

The veteran's service-connected diabetic polyneuropathy of the left and right feet is currently rated at 20 percent each, while his diabetes mellitus type 2 is rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the current evidence.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities he claims are related to his active military service, including radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease. The appeal involves issues regarding the reopening of a claim and the establishment of service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review due to the denial of service connection on the essential basis that there was no evidence showing a permanent residual or chronic disability resulting from an inservice treatment for left shoulder pain.

The Board denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for wrist condition and PTSD, as well as his claim for skin rash due to herbicide exposure. The claim for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was also denied. Additionally, the rating for low back disability was not increased.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the left hand during or after service, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current PTSD symptoms and service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding it likely related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in or are related to his military service.,Specifically, the Board found no objective medical evidence of undiagnosed illnesses and concluded that the veteran's symptoms were attributable to known diagnoses.