Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The veteran's conditions do not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He needs occasional assistance with activities of daily living, but is able to ambulate for distances greater than 100 feet with the use of a walker.

The veteran's current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy and Agent Orange disease are being evaluated, but a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's diabetes mellitus is related to his claimed peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's claims of exposure to Agent Orange were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and found that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The claims for major bipolar disorder, right knee strain, right ankle strain, left shoulder strain, arthritis of the cervical spine, and peripheral neuropathy are all denied as not related to service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service, specifically because there is no credible evidence of him being stationed in Korea during his active duty.

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

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's peripheral neuropathy to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing and further development. The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, numbness of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the lower extremities, all claimed as due to burn pit exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and hypertension, are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disease and associated neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the ulnar nerve neuropathy of the left hand, finding that it meets the criteria for this increased rating. The residuals of a laceration to the left hand are rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, VCAA notice, and compliance with Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent for the veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus from March 27, 2001 to December 30, 2003. Since then, he is entitled to a 60 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left wrist disability was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction. The claim for SMP by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person has been reopened based on new evidence, but the criteria for receiving such benefits have not been met.

The Board has denied the claim for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at a 100% rate due to service-connected disability for a period of at least five years immediately after his discharge from active service or for 10 or more years prior to his death.