Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the veteran's service connection claim for cold injury residuals, including peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The effective date for service connection was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, back disability, and right knee surgery residuals. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes warranted a 20 percent rating, CAD warranted a 30 percent rating, and hypertension did not warrant any compensable rating. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand and erectile dysfunction were also granted.

The RO has granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent for right sciatic neuropathy, but the effective date is not specified in the SSOC. The case must be remanded to clarify this.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, with the exception of tinnitus which was assigned a 10% evaluation.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities or a right hip disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and other development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development to determine if the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's complaints of pain and tingling in his upper extremities are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or his active service. The medical evidence shows no relationship between his sensory neuropathy and service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no evidence of a primary sleep disorder and denied service connection for chronic sleep disorder. The veteran's erectile dysfunction was not addressed due to lack of examination, but the issue is remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for tuberculosis and increased tinnitus have been withdrawn. Service connection for sinusitis is not established, while diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of both legs are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left sciatic neuropathy, associated with status post laminectomy and discectomy, L4-L5 with DDD, is no more than mild in degree throughout the appeals period. As such, an initial increased rating for this condition is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of a separate compensable evaluation for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of Muscle Group XIV of the left thigh.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a neurological examination to assess the extent of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted in relation to his right hip, upper extremity neuropathy, twitching of eyelids, skin disorder, or chronic cough and shortness of breath.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence showing an intent to file a claim prior to March 1, 2004.