Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2005

The Board has restored service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which was previously severed due to the veteran's diabetes mellitus. The issues of increased evaluations for knee disabilities and hearing loss remain pending.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for TDIU, automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, and an effective date of December 6, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding no evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected left elbow disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining more recent medical records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle with subluxation and deformity of the sternoclavicular joint, as well as his initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation assigned. The other claims were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure, has been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete notification of VCAA provisions and in order to obtain additional medical records. The earlier effective date claims are also inextricably intertwined with the current claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and an anxiety disorder with headaches. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and events during military service.

The Board found that the nerve biopsies did not result in additional disability involving peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but did find that a right ankle area neuroma resulted from the 1991 nerve biopsy. The decision is mixed as it granted benefits for one issue and denied them for another.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $16, 680.90 due to a lack of awareness regarding his need to report incarceration and subsequent reduction in VA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer. The claim for sexual dysfunction (impotence) is remanded as it may be related to the veteran's service-connected prostate disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a hiatal hernia. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he has provided new evidence that supports reopening his claim for a hiatal hernia.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The veteran testified that he did not receive medical treatment for these conditions during his military service.,VA has reviewed all available evidence and determined that there is no basis to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cortical blindness as a result of a cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, effective from December 31, 2005.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and any related complications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the veteran's left leg/ankle disability and peripheral neuropathy. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, vision problems (claimed as pigment displacement syndrome), and seizure disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.