Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of left distal radius fracture and fixation are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's residual left thigh neuropathy with status-post bone graft is not manifested by severe to complete paralysis, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not present during service and is not shown to be causally related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a left wrist and hand laceration was denied, but his scar residuals were granted an increased rating to 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to walk or move his legs without a wheelchair. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's service in Vietnam. The claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after obtaining the requested records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service and could not be presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his claimed conditions are related to his active duty or to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for readjudication consistent with a Joint Motion to Remand, and the Veteran is scheduled for a travel board hearing.

The Veteran's diabetes and peripheral neuropathy did not begin during active service or ACDUTRA. Hypertension was not incurred in service, but may have been aggravated by service. The Veteran does not have a vision disorder that is related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current level of disability due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and to identify the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and neuropathy of the left upper extremity, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy is being remanded due to the need for further consideration, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy or residuals of a discectomy that are attributable to military service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology from service, and there is no medical opinion linking current disabilities to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities for purposes of service connection. The issue of ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating.