Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no direct causation between his condition and exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial ratings, finding no legal basis for an earlier effective date than December 14, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and neuropathy of the right lower extremity, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 21, 2006, and in excess of 40 percent on and after that date.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset during service and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected right knee injury. Therefore, service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy as claimed due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during service in Korea. The evidence did not show the veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied entitlement to initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but denied left ulna neuropathy and right elbow disorder.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. His diabetes mellitus is currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are noncompensable from April 14, 2003 to January 20, 2006, erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy each receive a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy with superimposed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of heavy metal toxicity, to include peripheral neuropathy due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities related to his military service. The claims for knee and back disabilities are denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's liver disability and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy and denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's compensable peripheral neuropathy, which is not related to infectious causes, based on a finding that it may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to his status as a former POW.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillation as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities associated with his diabetes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees, morbid obesity, and diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the feet, but denied service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the veteran's right ulnar neuropathy and intrinsic muscle atrophy were not caused or aggravated by VA failure to provide adequate physical therapy, and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's PTSD, depression, right cervical radiculopathy, and right ulnar neuropathy are all found to be related to a personal assault she experienced during service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disorder to include ulcers was not incurred in or as a result of his active duty service and denied the claim.