Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of his service-connected disabilities and the impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, warranting service connection.,Regarding bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, while not present during service or for many years thereafter, the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and assigned a 50 percent rating effective January 20, 2001. The RO increased the rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left buttock from noncompensable to 40 percent effective September 29, 2004. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for sciatic neuropathy, left.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with mild peripheral neuropathy and hypertensive vascular disease is being remanded to obtain additional development including medical examinations.

The veteran's claim for certificates of eligibility for specially adapted housing and earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC based on housebound status has been granted.

The veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis have been rated at 60 percent since July 10, 2004. The lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis have been rated at 40 percent since October 4, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus (with hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, rectal abscess, retinopathy, and renal insufficiency) is being remanded due to outstanding Federal records and private medical records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral leg disorder and neck disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a right lower extremity sciatica which is secondary to his service-connected low back strain. The claim for a neck disorder was denied as there is no evidence supporting its secondary relationship to the service-connected low back strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development to obtain updated VA medical records and for a specialized examination in endocrinology.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors for PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the veteran did not incur COPD in service and it is not related to his presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection was also denied for Chronic Demyelating Polyneuropathy due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and has also granted a 20 percent rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure. The RO must obtain VA treatment records and ensure the veteran provides any additional evidence necessary to support his claim. A VA neurological examination will be scheduled to determine if current peripheral neuropathy is related to service or medication use in service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right ulnar nerve and right forearm and hand injury.

The Board has ordered a remand due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the veteran's lower extremity complaints, specifically peripheral neuropathy. The case will be returned for further examination and clarification.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of left eye disability, depression, or peripheral neuropathy of either upper or lower extremities. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine. The RO granted a 10% rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and denied an increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with disc bulging.