Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board grants service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands based on a direct link to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus, service connection for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia of the left foot and median mononeuropathy with osteoarthritis from fracture of the left wrist, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for damage to the left arm due to liquid nitrogen was denied, while his diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy rating was restored from 20 percent to 40 percent and separate 10 percent ratings were granted for each lower extremity.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. The veteran's hypertension and upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The appellant's service-connected right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is characterized by loss of sensation and diminished reflexes, but does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypogammaglobulinemia and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that the competent medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board granted service connection for acne vulgaris, but denied claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy, a bilateral knee disorder and a low back disability as the conditions were not related to the veteran's active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a laceration of the left arm, with ulnar neuropathy, as there was no evidence to support that this disability was related to his active military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, prostatitis, chronic renal insufficiency with episodic acute renal failure and nephritic syndrome, and chronic ischemic heart disease, multivessel coronary artery disease, status post angioplasty, as none of these conditions were found to be related to his service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or an earlier effective date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity were denied, as the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The veteran is granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for peripheral neuropathy of the feet, in addition to his existing service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a left radial head fracture with degenerative changes, and affirmed the effective date of February 21, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, polyneuropathy, bilateral cataracts, TIA and hypertension as they were not shown to be related to his active duty or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.