Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder and associated neuropathies of the lower extremities. The initial evaluations assigned are 10 percent each, with no higher ratings being warranted based on current evidence.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder of the left upper hip and calf, to include as due to inservice exposure to herbicide agents, and entitlement to service connection for dermatitis of the face, to include as due to inservice exposure to herbicide agents, has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a jaw disability, scar on the right side of the chin with neuropathy, loss of teeth, and loss of feeling inside the mouth are not supported by evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, stomach ulcer, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral artery disease and pernicious neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for various conditions, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to service, but his COPD is not related to service or exposure to herbicides and asbestos.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use an electric scooter, walker, or cane as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and fibromyalgia are related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated as noncompensable prior to December 16, 2005, and at 20 percent thereafter. Sleep apnea remains at a 50 percent rating. Service connection for the neck condition and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy were denied.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia (other than joint pains attributable to diagnosed disorders of the shoulders, back and knees), left hand neuropathy, right hand neuropathy, left upper extremity tremors, right upper extremity tremors, and shortness of breath.,The veteran's symptoms have been linked to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to toxic agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a bladder disability. The RO previously remanded the case in December 2006.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, do not render him incapable of securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for multiple sclerosis, left optic neuritis, or peripheral neuropathy.,There is no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period. The veteran's statements regarding a nexus to herbicide exposure are not considered competent medical evidence.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 30, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of TDIU benefits should be February 15, 2002, as this is the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be unemployable.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right arm diabetic neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinion regarding whether the veteran's current median neuropathy is related to his service-connected frostbite.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Service connection was denied for all issues.