Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals, peripheral neuropathy, a circulatory disorder, bilateral defective hearing, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and spinal conditions, are of such severity that he requires assistive devices for locomotion. The Board finds him eligible for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher initial evaluations for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were granted. The effective date remains November 5, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, stomach cancer, brain abscess, chloracne, PTSD, and chondromalacia of the left patella. The appeal is considered 'unknown' in terms of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, finding that the veteran's conditions are due to herbicide exposure in service. Service connection for coronary artery disease is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left arm ulnar neuropathy and right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate findings in the current evaluations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease were denied as these conditions did not develop due to inservice exposure to herbicides or military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent or 10 percent under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no direct evidence linking the condition to his herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a head trauma and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the veteran sustained a head injury while in military service, or that his current conditions are related to such an injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a laceration of the right middle finger due to lack of current disability and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. The RO denied his claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that separate compensable ratings for the peripheral neuropathy cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, status post arthroscopy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including separate neurological and orthopedic examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and its manifestations. The case will be reviewed again by the AMC based on the additional evidence.