Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and service connection for diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to determine if he was exposed to Agent Orange while serving on a ship in Vietnam waters, and to obtain his medical records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to 70 percent, qualifying him for a TDIU. However, the RO needs to obtain a medical opinion regarding his employability based solely on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and type II diabetes mellitus, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction. The issues of entitlement to TDIU have also been addressed.

The Board denied service connection for a right lower extremity disorder, other than the already service-connected right common peroneal neuropathy with foot drop and neuropathic pain. The veteran's left lower extremity disorder was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected right common peroneal neuropathy with foot drop and neuropathic pain.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not originate in service or within one year thereafter, and it is not related to any incident of service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a service-connected burial allowance, finding that the veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence linking his left eye disorder to a motor vehicle accident during active duty training in Hawaii. The Board granted service connection for optic neuropathy of the left eye.

The Board is considering both claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy, one secondary to herbicide exposure and the other secondary to diabetes mellitus. The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a higher rating for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, were granted. The specific conditions are rated based on their severity.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's impotence is not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied the claim. The neuropathy claim was also considered, but no additional medical records were provided by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that his diabetes did not require regulation of activities.