Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and secondary disabilities, finding that his diabetes was not related to herbicide exposure but rather due to prednisone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The secondary disability claims were also denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to the primary condition of diabetes.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete documentation and need for further examination.

The veteran's flat feet and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities were incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes and PTSD, significantly contributed to his death from liver failure.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's claimed conditions and his service, including exposure to herbicides or as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied both claims.

Service connection has been granted for a brain tumor, specifically for astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Peripheral neuropathy and skin disability have not been established as service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed by the VA to be related to his military service.,Service connection has also been granted for a skin disability (to include chloracne) as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and enlarged prostate, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or any other link between the conditions and active service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA orthopedic examination and reviewing the expanded record to consider service connection for multiple disorders due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a psychiatric disability. The low back disability was also denied as not incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of its in-service onset or a link to active service.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for low back strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 with bilateral sciatic neuropathy was granted, with the rating assigned being 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, asthma, dizziness, and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his active duty service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous systems of the right lower extremity warranted a 40% rating. However, it was determined that none of his other claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service and are not related to his service-connected condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have diabetic neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities, as a result of his service or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to perform self-care functions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy are denied as he did not meet the prerequisite criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board found that polyneuropathy was not present in service or within one year of the veteran's discharge from service, and is not etiologically related to his exposure to herbicides or any other incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The Board also determined that his current hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is service-connected, and he is entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus. The evaluations for both right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also granted.