Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The veteran's increased rating claims for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as erectile dysfunction, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues from appeal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 10 percent prior to May 26, 2006 and increased to 20 percent from that date.,The current evaluations for the veteran's diabetes mellitus do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations to determine if he currently has peripheral neuropathy in his extremities, migraines related to service, and an inguinal hernia. The claims will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for pes planus, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of hypertension and service connection for neurological disabilities have been denied. The RO will review the case and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence, including verification of in-service stressors for PTSD. The claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and numbness and neuropathy of the right arm are also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy and documented arterial hypertension, as well as his claim for a higher rate of SMC due to loss of use of a creative organ. The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was also not granted an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking a current disability involving the right medial nerve to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetic peripheral neuropathy or diabetic retinopathy, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. He also seeks an increased rating for his diabetes mellitus. These issues have been remanded due to a lack of Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection were denied as he did not meet the statutory eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of wartime service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service, and the evidence does not support reopening of any previously denied claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hands, as well as arthritis of the hands with ulnar neuropathy, both secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions directly to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse of the veteran for purposes of receiving VA death benefits due to a prior valid marriage.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or due to herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that service connection for peripheral neuropathy is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or association with Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for PTSD and hypertension secondary to PTSD are denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right inguinal hernia or neuropathy of the right upper extremity that is related to his active military service. The claims are therefore denied.