Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities and chronic tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing their onset during or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded again to obtain additional medical records, personnel records, and possibly a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's early onset cataracts in both eyes are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and is granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as they were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year of separation. The Board also found that these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The cause of the veteran's death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest, with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue as an underlying cause. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability, cervical disability, and upper extremity neuropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 19, 1998 for total disability based on individual unemployability was denied as the service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for recognition as a former prisoner of war, entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection, and entitlement to higher initial ratings. The appeal regarding PTSD was referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities and left thumb trigger finger, finding that these conditions are related to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is denied for bilateral peripheral neuropathy other than diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, is caused by his service-connected diabetes and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange and finds that his skin condition, including neuropathy and peeling of skin on the hands, is related to his military service. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not found to be a listed disease associated with herbicide exposure under 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e).

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting a total rating based upon individual unemployability.

The veteran's skin disorder, memory loss, headaches, multiple joint pain, and muscle weakness were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The right arm and leg numbness was attributed to peripheral neuropathy.,Service connection for the veteran's right arm and leg numbness due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction, glaucoma/cataracts, and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the bilateral feet and an increased rating for residuals of a head trauma, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected, as it was not caused or aggravated by his right knee disability.,Service connection for incontinence and impotence are granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence to support a direct link between his exposure to Agent Orange and his current condition.