Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left above the knee amputation as a result of vascular neuropathy. The Veteran's claim of peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and because adjudication of these claims may impact other secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service or herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's active duty and his currently shown sinusitis, thus denying service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current headache disorder is related to his active service or any in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss with otitis externa, disseminated coccidoidomycosis, and ureterolithiasis were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by peripheral neuropathy resulting from his military service or exposure to Agent Orange herbicides.

The Board found that peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance due to resultant helplessness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, heart disease, sleep disorder, and neuropathy of the hands were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a sunburn injury of both lower extremities, now claimed as polyneuropathy. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support that his current condition is related to his in-service sunburn injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing in Denver, Colorado. The Veteran requested this due to his relocation away from Houston.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neuropathy of bilateral lower legs, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain and bilateral knee disorders, is denied. The Board finds that the competent medical evidence does not reflect the Veteran currently has this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including diabetes mellitus with hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to clarify the extent and areas affected by the disorder.