Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy on a secondary basis due to diabetes mellitus. The skin condition issue is remanded as the RO did not provide a statement of the case.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy does not warrant a higher rating as it is currently managed on diet and oral agents, without requiring regulation of activities. The initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye pterygium and denied service connection for a skin disorder. Service connection for a neurological disorder of the feet is remanded.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the Veterans' Compensation Act of 1946 (38 U.S.C.A. § 1151) for left lower extremity neuropathy as a result of VA popliteal artery surgery. The case has been remanded due to inadequate notification and other procedural issues.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities did not have its onset in service and was not otherwise related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for tonsillar, throat and oropharyngeal cancer is addressed separately.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction was granted, but the effective date is set at March 11, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including peripheral neuropathy, and service connection for arthritis of the ankles and hips. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic underlying back disability to account for the veteran's complaints of pain in service, and denied his claims for low back disability. For left ulnar neuropathy, the Board concluded that there was sufficient medical evidence indicating its current condition is consistent with the diagnosis made during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine L4-5 disc disease with radiculopathy in the left leg warrants a 60 percent evaluation under the old and new schedule for rating spine disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur any additional disability, including left common peroneal neuropathy and left lumbar radiculopathy, as a result of VA treatment in December 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to his service-connected left thoracotomy.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left hand with RSD and CTS, as well as an increased rating for residuals of a ganglionectomy of the left wrist. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to post-service injuries rather than service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and denied service connection for a lumbar spine levorotational scoliosis with developmental spina bifida T12-L1, as well as left eye disability (optic neuropathy, myopia, astigmatism).

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection of eczema, including claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure; entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity and entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity.

The Board has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD, effective January 22, 2004. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being referred to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding it related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the face due to lack of evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.