Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and he was not granted any increased ratings. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed disability for which VA compensation may be awarded.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disorder and alopecia, finding that the disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, alopecia, right foot numbness, and a psychiatric disorder due to undiagnosed illness have been denied as the conditions are not considered undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist and to obtain additional evidence relevant to the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disability did not result from VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The evidence showed that the progression of his cardiovascular disease was rapid and progressive, despite treatment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands, joint pain, initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss, and separate compensable evaluations for tinnitus in each ear due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized chiropractic treatment is denied as there was no prior VA authorization and the treatment was not provided in a medical emergency.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the claims are no longer under consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service or to a service-connected condition.

The veteran's abdominal lymphoma with metastasis to the bone marrow and peripheral neuropathy are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating since January 30, 2001. The issue of a separate evaluation for peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and meralgia paresthetica, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or presumptive exposure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation which is sedentary in nature. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The veteran claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA has not found sufficient evidence to grant this claim based on the presumptive provisions, but the duty to assist requires further examination and review of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frostbite of the lower extremities and feet are linked to his exposure to cold temperatures during service in Korea, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 18, 1995 for the grant of service connection for pernicious anemia. The decision states that the effective date cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of the application.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected peripheral neuropathy, with atrophy of the first dorsal interosseus muscle of the right hand. The remaining issues regarding increased evaluations for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right upper extremity and muscles are remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbothoracic disc disease with arthritis did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.