Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing due to his combined evaluation of 90 percent and lack of objectively demonstrated loss or use of either lower extremity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hips, degenerative joint disease in the right knee (claimed as arthritis of the legs), deep venous thrombosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (claimed as circulatory problems), peripheral neuropathy, and cold related injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within the initial post-service year, and there is no evidence showing they were incurred due to his military service. The appeal for accrued benefits is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's combined disability rating of 40 percent does not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support referral for extraschedular consideration.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his inability to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for neuropathy of the right foot and headaches, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus does not require insulin or the regulation of activities, and thus a higher rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that these conditions are proximately due to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ulnar neuropathy does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than the current 30 percent rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were not supported by the evidence, as there was no indication of moderate incomplete paralysis or other severe symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides, but denied claims for colon polyps and a skin condition related to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee conditions was denied. The effective date of the award of separate 10% disability ratings for her bilateral knee conditions is set at May 7, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition, and his claimed headaches and motor control problem are not related to service. The veteran's organic affective syndrome is not presumed due to service, but he did not provide sufficient evidence to establish it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tooth and gum disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities warrants initial disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective May 8, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, neuropathy of the legs, residuals of cold injury to the upper and lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis (joint pain in the right shoulder and legs).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not causally related to his service-connected back disability. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back disability was denied.