Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, PCT, a liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that there was no evidence of current diagnoses or competent medical opinions linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for higher initial evaluations and effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including Hodgkin's disease, peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, GERD, and depression, was granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of a claim for heart disease as secondary to Hodgkin's disease.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings had not been met, and there was no evidence of new and material information to reopen previously denied service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying in-service stressors related to PTSD and obtaining updated medical records. The veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected radial and axillary neuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 40 percent from May 26, 1994 to November 18, 1998, and at 60 percent as of November 19, 1998. He is also entitled to SMC for loss of use of the left hand and a TDIU.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The RO confirmed the current 10 percent evaluation for retropatellar syndrome of the left knee, but did not address his claim regarding depression.

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied in August 2001. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. His other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding a disability rating and effective date for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, renal insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision also denied the reopening of a claim for a psychiatric condition other than PTSD.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shell fragment wounds of the legs have been denied. The left leg residuals are rated as noncompensable, and the right leg residuals with external popliteal neuropathy are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted separate 10% ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left feet, effective June 11, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for neurological disability, to include PN, and denied the reopening of a claim for PTSD. The veteran's current neurological impairment was first noted years after service without any evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for mild peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, consistent with the criteria at Diagnostic Code 8521. The veteran's diabetes mellitus remains rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased initial ratings for right and left foot diabetic neuropathy, will be readjudicated.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities and the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability. The case must be remanded to allow for proper VCAA notice, issuance of a Statement of the Case, and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for right wrist tendonitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis, basal cell carcinoma, and a prostate disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment related to these conditions during or after military service.,Service connection is not granted as the veteran did not have chronic peripheral neuropathy within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's current ulnar and median neuropathy affecting his right hand and his military service, including on a secondary basis by indicating whether it is proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his already service-connected disability (residuals of a laceration of a tendon in his right index finger).

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not presented, and the conditions did not develop due to service or a service-connected disability.