Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a service connection claim for the claimed disabilities, and thus the claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of ulnar nerve compression/ulnar neuropathy. The rating for left shoulder disability was also denied.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care and protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance starting September 28, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while his bronchial asthma, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, and hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to confusion regarding his desire for a personal hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for appropriate action.

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, but denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for neuropathy of the lips and peripheral neuropathy of the hands, both as being caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, as a result of exposure to Agent Orange due to lack of evidence linking his condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and have denied each claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, unspecified, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, coronary artery disease, erectile dysfunction, and cataracts. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims for secondary service connection of hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches are also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back injury and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus with bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and ulcers of right foot, blindness of the left eye, shrapnel wounds to the right side of body, a cyst, and residuals of a collapsed lung, are not supported by evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during active military service. The veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim have also been denied.

The Board found no factually ascertainable evidence supporting TDIU prior to August 28, 2003. The veteran's claim for increased ratings was received on August 28, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and small fiber neuropathy, polyneuropathy, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The VA determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not related to his military service, including as due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.