Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's depression and neuropathy of both legs are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct connection to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy during service and denied the claim as there was insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue and peripheral neuropathy are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his spine and peripheral neuropathy conditions have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from September 5, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy with heart failure. The issues remain pending for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it did not manifest within one year of his last exposure to Agent Orange and was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for postoperative bilateral arm and hand disorders, including ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, ulnar nerve palsy and nonunion fracture of the left humerus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to exposure to ionizing radiation in service or to active military duty.

The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, heart condition, and erectile dysfunction were denied. Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus with a 20% rating throughout the appeal period. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy conditions are rated based on their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of either upper or lower extremities, nor do they have blisters of the hands and feet. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy and small vessel disease of the feet are consistent with in-service cold injury exposure, including during combat. The Board grants service connection for residuals of cold injury to the feet.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, finding that it was not related to his Vietnam service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including coronary artery disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure do not apply as these conditions are not listed among those diseases presumed to be associated with such exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is now remanded to determine if the lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities are secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's death was caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability (diabetes mellitus and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy). The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise, supporting the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of a chronic low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot neuropathy.

The veteran's bilateral leg condition is found to be the result of VA medical treatment, and she is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and shortness of breath. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.