Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of service connection for peripheral neuropathy, as there was no in-service diagnosis or treatment and no medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, PTSD, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for myofascial disorder, nausea and flu-like symptoms, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness and lightheadedness, temporomandibular joint pain, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for colon carcinoma, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, was denied.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a right ankle fracture were rated at 30 percent, and the ratings for right peroneal nerve neuropathy and calf muscle atrophy remained unchanged.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities were denied as there was no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in any of the extremities.

The claim for service connection for skin disability, including tinea pedis and manus, was reopened as new and material evidence was received. Service connection for bilateral hand neuropathy was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection as there was no evidence supporting a relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but the veteran does not have PTSD related to a verified stressor. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, skin rash, sleep disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the knees and ankles, and a bilateral hip disorder.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was dismissed by the veteran.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and arthritis, claimed as residuals of cold injuries, are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further development.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to peripheral neuropathy and a possible separate rating.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case regarding earlier effective dates for service connection awards.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chest tumor with blood spots, abdomen and left shoulder tumors, neuralgia, pancreas disability, persistent cough, severe joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, actinic keratosis and skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, memory disability, liver disability and possible cirrhosis, urinary disability, prostate disability, right leg disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability with sciatica.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10% prior to August 2006 or a rating in excess of 20% since August 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, as there was no evidence that it had onset during his active service or was otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board remanded the appeal for an examination and nexus opinion due to discrepancies in the medical records regarding the veteran's in-service treatment.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and notice as per the Board's previous instructions.