Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2007

The veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus, type II are denied due to lack of evidence of a direct link to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding new and material evidence. The claim is now reconsidered based on whether the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy, both secondary to diabetes mellitus, Type II. The VA examiner found no relationship between the veteran's diabetes and either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is related to exposure to herbicides during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy and his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by multiple joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, or colon disorder associated with service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection for PTSD, shrapnel wounds of the hands and arms, and shrapnel wounds of the legs. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed condition of peripheral neuropathy and that there was no evidence linking his current symptoms to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board's decision on November 14, 2006 is vacated due to the veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all claimed as secondary to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right arm and neuropathy of the right ulnar nerve, finding that the conditions did not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a cold injury in the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link these disabilities to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails bilaterally. The veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence relating it to service or noise exposure. His fungus infections are found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities (claimed as residuals of frostbite) and granted it. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus was incurred in service, with a rating assigned at 100%.

The veteran is entitled to special mode transportation due to his service-connected disabilities and medical necessity.