Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands/fingers and myopathy, as well as his attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for otitis media and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also notes that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The veteran is granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (secondary to diabetes), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to diabetes) with effective dates starting from June 5, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for valvular heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral hands and feet, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's initial ratings for service-connected residuals of stress fracture L5, cervical sprain, and left ulnar neuropathy have been granted. The rating for residuals of stress fracture L5 has been increased to 40 percent effective from September 18, 2008.

The Board has determined that the veteran fractured his left ankle during service and now has residuals. The veteran also claims hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) which is a congenital condition, but he contends it was aggravated by service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of the lower extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy attributable to military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The evidence does not establish the presence of a spinal cord disorder, other than peripheral neuropathy, that is related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis regarding his claims of peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy C8 with left hand neuropathy was granted effective from May 22, 2006. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is May 22, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities warrants initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for the right and left upper extremities, respectively. The decision is based on the severity of the disability as evidenced by incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow disability and left ulnar, radial, and median neuropathy.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to his physical impairment.

The veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and separate ratings of 10 percent for neurological impairment in the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are granted based on new evidence.