Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have right upper extremity or left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension are also addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial ratings of 20% and 10%, respectively, for prostate cancer and Type II diabetes with neuropathy associated with herbicide exposure. The conditions are rated based on their primary manifestations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and scheduling of the veteran for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions attributable to military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for gout, residuals of stroke, right knee and lower leg disorder with bone prominence, low back disorder, neck disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right hand, and PTSD were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The veteran's post-traumatic radial and ulnar nerve neuropathy of the right upper extremity was granted a 10 percent rating from April 9, 2004 to April 25, 2007. The issue regarding the period after April 26, 2007 is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not present in service or until many years after discharge, and is not related to his service-connected left ankle disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The presumption of herbicide exposure in Vietnam does not apply as there is no credible evidence showing he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam era.

The veteran's service connection claims for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted as they are at least as likely as not related to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 18, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and neuropathy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current disability ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities with superimposed carpal tunnel syndrome, related to his diabetes, is being remanded due to a need for another VA examination.

The veteran's service connection claim for cold injury residuals of the feet, including peripheral neuropathy, is granted. The claim for PTSD remains pending as it requires further verification of in-service stressors.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or ulcerative colitis due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for assistance in acquiring automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss of use of one or both hands.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, or peripheral vascular disease of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the veteran's claimed conditions, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claim for DIC benefits was also denied.