Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for sensory small fiber neuropathy and nongranular iritis with refractive error and photophobia.

The Board has granted increased ratings to 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The veteran's claims for additional disability due to VA surgical treatment in March 1999 are denied, but the claim for additional disability due to VA surgical treatment in March 1999 is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the toes does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as there is no objective evidence of sensory or motor deficits. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for internal hemorrhoids was withdrawn by the veteran prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluation for residuals of right hip injury, service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hepatitis C, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for Peyronie's disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy, currently evaluated at 60 percent.

The veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected left eye condition and other disabilities. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a VA diabetes mellitus examination and readjudicating the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, as well as his requests for increased ratings for residuals of bilateral quadriceps muscle tears. The appeals are remanded to the RO.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is due to Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam. The Board finds that additional relevant evidence may exist and has ordered the VA to obtain records from the veteran's post-service treatment and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, and basal cell carcinoma due to exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities bilaterally is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims, including a VA medical examination for his service connection and TDIU claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking any service-connected disability to his death from a cerebrovascular accident.

The Board found that the veteran's median nerve neuropathy was not caused by VA care, and thus compensation benefits were properly severed.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim.,Degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hands and degenerative joint disease with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are both granted service connection. Tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the bilateral feet also received service connection.,The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim.,Service connection was established for degenerative joint disease of the hands, degenerative joint disease with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the feet.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy involving his lateral left foot and small toe is currently assigned a 10% disability rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase to a higher initial evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The evidence did not support higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date was granted, with a 40 percent rating assigned for his right lower extremity disability. The decision also noted that the veteran retained significant function despite his disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his peripheral neuropathy.