Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, hair loss, night sweats with chest pain, joint pain of the wrists and arms, memory loss, suicidal tendencies, irritability, stuttering, a sleep disorder, short attention span, psychiatric condition, headaches with blurred vision, sensory polyneuropathy (claimed as tingling and numbness of joints), arthritis of the knees, bladder problems with incontinence, PTSD, and CFS are denied. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions under any theory.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia, hypertension with history of congestive heart failure associated with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and additional development is required before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's upper extremities neuropathy claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a compensation examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diarrhea, coronary artery disease, digestive disorder, bowel urgency, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The appeals were based on secondary service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, nor does he qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted service connection and increased the disability rating for type II diabetes mellitus to 40 percent, but denied secondary service connection claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to the veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further actions, including obtaining additional medical records and readjudicating his claims for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the veteran with an opportunity to provide detailed information regarding his service stressors.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, a pulmonary disability (emphysema and COPD), peripheral neuropathy of the feet, tinnitus, and pain in the legs. The Board found that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and the veteran's service-connected frostbite of the hands and feet.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if appropriate.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD, effective January 6, 2004. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, arthritis of the back, and arthritis of the lower extremities (other than arthritis of the right knee) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.