Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease, peripheral neuropathy, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both feet is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current ulnar nerve neuropathy is related to his in-service right hand injury and surgery, thus denying service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to various issues and claims.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could it be presumed to have been caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right hand disabilities due to failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right tarsal cuboid, to include peripheral neuropathy, warrant an increased rating from 10 percent to 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and his erectile dysfunction does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his service connection claims. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for idiopathic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy, hyperlipidemia, and a chronic cough as secondary to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes mellitus. The veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The case is REMANDED for scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent effective August 5, 2005. The right knee disorder is rated at 20 percent effective August 5, 2005.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and grants service connection for both right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, right foot neuropathy, and right calf compartment syndrome were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation of the right knee was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is service-connected, and the examiner found degenerative joint disease with moderate sized right paracentral disc protrusion at C5-C6 resulting in mild spinal cord compression and right greater than left neural foraminal impingement as likely related to service.

The Board granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD and assigned an effective date of February 18, 1997. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 60 percent in combination, but do not render him individually unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Korea is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability). The secondary service connection claims for diabetic-related peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy are also granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but further development is needed before deciding whether service connection should be granted.,Regarding peripheral neuropathy, there is no competent medical evidence of current diagnosis or etiology. The veteran's diabetes mellitus may not have caused his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and sciatic neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical examination to determine if he meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, given his service-connected disabilities.