Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic neurological disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a claim for TDIU due to the veteran's diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, left hip disorder, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to her active service.

The veteran's appeal of the September 20, 2002 rating decision was not timely filed. As a result, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider his claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the bilateral feet limit his ability to walk far, participate in activities of daily living that require walking, and drive safely. The Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for loss of use of the feet as defined by VA regulations, granting financial assistance for an adapted automobile.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including dizziness, bilateral hearing loss, gout, mood swings, defective vision, cramps and sweats, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, hypertension, heart condition, shortness of breath, depression, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle and joint pains, sleep apnea, headaches, liver disorder, and high cholesterol. The claims were denied as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant due to lack of service-connected blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and other actions as appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss of the left ear or bilateral lower extremity sensory motor peripheral neuropathy due to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's tinnitus, lipomas, diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, and scars. The effective date claim is deferred until the other claims are fully developed.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs or protect himself from hazards without regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities due to additional evidence received and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO needs to arrange for VA examinations and opinions regarding his current employment status.

The veteran does not have a current right ankle or tibia/fibula disability related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current residual disability from the in-service right tibia/fibula fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, a skin rash, paresthesias, or peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities that are related to his military service. The veteran's impotence is also denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of such service.

The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The RO has ordered further development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA psychiatric and neurological examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and hypertension, finding that the criteria for such ratings were not met. The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, impotence, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to diabetes mellitus.