Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying opinions regarding the relationship between his preexisting bilateral pes planus and service.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is more likely caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and grants this claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus (Type II), were denied. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disability from October 6, 1995 to December 20, 1995 and from March 1, 1996 through April 16, 2003. The claimant was also granted a compensable initial evaluation of 10 percent for his left occipital neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his service, with the exception of a possible percutaneous exposure in 1978. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for tingling, pain and numbness of the hands was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, left knee osteoarthropathy and patellar chondromalacia, and right knee osteoarthropathy were also granted with initial ratings ranging from 10% to 20%. The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was rated at 10%, while his left and right knee conditions received separate 10% evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, which is believed to be due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence of a physical deformity in the case of erectile dysfunction or compensable disability from the date of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and PTSD, finding no evidence to support these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of a perforated tympanic membrane of the left ear, service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and hypertension were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training, finding that his service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the point where he is unable to perform the duties of his previous occupation and that the previously rehabilitated occupation remains suitable.

The veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for left acoustic neuroma was received on January 11, 2000. Effective from this date, he is granted service connection for various disabilities and SMC for loss of use of one eye as residuals of his service-connected post-operative left acoustic neuroma.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of both thumbs should be remanded to allow for further examination and analysis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as there remains some question regarding whether these conditions are attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's Raynaud's disease and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in service, and denied both claims. The hypertension claim was also denied as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee and lower extremity disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The RO has remanded the veteran's claims due to his disagreement with the December 2002 rating decision, including the assigned evaluations for service-connected disabilities and denial of service connection. The veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding his TDIU claim.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.