Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, CAD, and onychomycosis and tinea pedis was granted with an initial disability rating of 30 percent effective August 9, 2004. The effective date for the grant of secondary service connection for onychomycosis and tinea pedis is March 30, 2001.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are both granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on his housebound status.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, basal cell carcinoma, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Preston and other doctors.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg and hand pain with neuropathy secondary to his service-connected left foot fracture, finding that a well-grounded claim had not been submitted.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal as to his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board also denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The decision is considered withdrawn due to the veteran's withdrawal of the secondary to diabetes mellitus issue.

The veteran's appeal is currently on hold due to a stay imposed by the Secretary of VA. The issues related to service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, bilateral neuropathy of the feet, bilateral vision problems, loss of a right foot toe, and bilateral ulcers of the feet are subject to this stay. Hypertension remains an issue that will be addressed once the stay is lifted.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, fatigue, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, a joint disability, and nerve damage. The veteran does not have current diagnoses or competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation were denied. The RO awarded a 40 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, separate ratings of 20 percent for varicose veins of each lower extremity, and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus Type II, with mild peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The current rating adequately compensates for his condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and for obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's spondylolisthesis L5 with left sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum under old criteria. The Board has granted a 60 percent rating based on pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome and muscle spasm.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the issue of whether a motorized scooter is necessary and appropriate for the veteran's care and treatment is a medical determination outside its jurisdiction, thus dismissing the appeal.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy and service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus were denied by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran did not have acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy, and his current chronic peripheral neuropathy is not shown to be related to military service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type II was granted a 40 percent disability rating effective August 25, 2005. His peripheral neuropathy and arteriosclerotic vascular disease of the lower extremities were each increased to 20 percent ratings effective October 8, 2002 and February 12, 2003 respectively. The veteran's erectile dysfunction was granted special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ effective May 8, 2001.