Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a neurological disability of the left upper extremity, characterized as left ulnar neuropathy, is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied service connection claim for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a connection between the veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death, which was listed as congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy.

The veteran is granted a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to his advanced age and current level of disability, which render him permanently unemployable.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension benefits based on being housebound, but denied such benefits for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both legs did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, but granted a 40% rating for peripheral neuropathy starting January 25, 2007.

The Board remands the claims for further development, specifically requesting evidence of in-service stressors and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, but denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic neuropathy.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and the claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right great toe, a fungal infection of the feet, a rash of the groin and buttocks, and impotence were denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for numbness of the feet and hands.

The Board remands the claims for a current examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, while severe, do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for GERD and arthritis in both knees.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of cold injuries to other than the ears and face, multiple skin disorders (chronic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities bilaterally were granted.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of various conditions, and the Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, finding no evidence of a disease or injury superimposed upon his congenital condition during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, skin disability, and low back disability as there was no competent medical evidence to support these conditions or their relation to service.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating, and peripheral neuropathy in each lower extremity does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for kidney stones, but denied service connection for glaucoma, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, onychomycosis, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, as there was no evidence to support a direct link between his symptoms and active duty service or Agent Orange exposure.