Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities due to lack of exposure to herbicides in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not constitute an employment handicap, and therefore he is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy attributable to service or exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and arthritis are not related to service, including any exposure to Agent Orange or Camp Lejeune. The claims have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation under provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(m) because his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria outlined in the provision.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to a need for additional development, including scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to evaluate the veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports in prior decisions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted based on his need for insulin and restricted diet.,For peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and left leg, the current 10 percent ratings are increased to 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any claimed conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia was denied as the condition is not a disability under VA laws and regulations. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, or medical nexus between an in-service disease or injury and the current disability.

The Board determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated by his service, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cancer of the neck glands, peripheral neuropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent from May 8, 2001 through October 10, 2006; and 20 percent since October 11, 2006. Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher schedular evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for updated medical evidence.