Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation assigned for PTSD prior to October 26, 2007. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has granted initial 20 percent ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities effective May 23, 2006.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation awarded after September 15, 1981 is subject to recoupment of severance pay.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and service department records.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claimed renal, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not sufficiently severe to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claimed neuropathy of the upper extremities is not service-connected, as it is not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish an in-service event or disease related to these conditions, nor is there any evidence of herbicide exposure during military service.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current right wrist condition is related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his claims for service connection have not proceeded further.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either extremity.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was granted with a 20% evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy, ulnar neuropathy and pulmonary emphysema prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right medial epicondylitis and right ulnar nerve entrapment with ulnar neuropathy are being remanded to the RO for further review of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of peripheral neuropathy, stomach ulcer, and hepatitis B are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for polyneuropathy and CIDP as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation during his military service. The Board has determined that further development, including requesting dose data from the appropriate source(s), is necessary before deciding this claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be incurred in active duty due to combat noise exposure. The Veteran also has a service-connected bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, which the Board finds more likely related to his diabetes mellitus type II with hypertension and erectile dysfunction.