Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic hypertension, a chronic spine disorder, a chronic right hip disorder, a chronic left hip disorder, and a generalized arthritis disorder. The claims for service connection for chronic myositis, chronic right upper extremity neuropathy, chronic left upper extremity neuropathy, chronic right lower extremity neuropathy, chronic left lower extremity neuropathy, and chronic erectile dysfunction are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left hand and wrist neuropathy condition is etiologically related to his period of service, granting him service connection for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, both presumed related to exposure to Agent Orange during service. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year after separation from service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss as it likely resulted from active military service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, presumed related to Agent Orange exposure, was denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 5, 2004 to March 6, 2004 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are denied as the treatment was not for a medical emergency.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a hearing request. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as TDIU, are still pending.

The veteran's current diagnoses of severe polyneuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and asymmetric sensory neuropathy are not considered to be associated with his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each upper extremity and assigned a disability rating of 10 percent effective November 18, 2004. The veteran's symptoms have been characterized as mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerves in both hands.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service. The petition to reopen a claim for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain VA treatment records and to schedule the veteran for a neurological examination of his lower extremities. The purpose is to determine if higher ratings are warranted based on the extent of nerve involvement in each lower extremity.

The veteran's appeal of increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity, as well as his claim for erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these issues due to withdrawal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his injury was a result of willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his claimed peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as well as whether the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus has aggravated these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to clarify the relationship between the veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after this action.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a mental condition. The evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected traumatic neuropathy of the right supraorbital.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, both of which he claimed were due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.