Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's prostate cancer, heart disease, skin disease, and peripheral neuropathy are being remanded for further examination and opinion due to the possibility of service connection based on exposure to trichloroethylene.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left acromioclavicular (AC) joint due to its presumptive nature under VA regulations. The claims for other conditions are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active military service and therefore denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder are found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claims for swelling of the legs, stiffness of joints (other than neuropathy), and dizziness and blackouts were denied as not being related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 19, 2006 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO granted TDIU with an effective date of May 19, 2006.

The Veteran's urinary frequency is reasonably related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board finds that it meets the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. However, there is no specific effective date assigned as these conditions were already service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's generalized neuropathy cannot be dissociated from his active military service, including exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and left upper extremity median nerve neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the knees, and peripheral neuropathy. The case is being remanded due to scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ulnar neuropathy and right elbow fracture residuals were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection. The remaining issues were not addressed due to lack of merit.

The Veteran's generalized peripheral neuropathy with demyelinating features is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent ratings assigned to each knee under the criteria for genu recurvatum.

The Veteran's claim for an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.808 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claim of reopening a right ulnar neuropathy post-operative is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected pes planus, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and neuropathy of the left foot. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, a heart disorder, and retinal detachment. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical diskectomy and fusion with stenosis and residuals of sensory neuropathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.