Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right shoulder injury, Type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found that new evidence submitted since the previous denial did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for a right shoulder disability secondary to a wrist disability. Service connection was denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and a skin disease, were denied as secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The diagnoses of PTSD are based on in-service stressors which are not corroborated by service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his period of active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for all issues is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his postoperative residuals of a left wrist fracture, maintaining the current 20 percent rating.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for Leber's optic neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus (reopened), skin cancer, and diabetes mellitus are not supported by competent evidence. The conditions were either not shown to be related to service or did not manifest until years after service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds that further development is necessary due to the Veteran's request for a personal hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disorder, a disorder of the right side, and metabolic encephalopathy (claimed as a brain disorder) are denied as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated during active service and are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 20, 2002 for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU until June 20, 2002.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not due to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and no nexus to herbicide exposure could be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower extremity neurological pathology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination and obtain any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his unemployability is attributed to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability was granted, with the effective date set at August 17, 2007. Service connection for sensory neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and neurological abnormalities affecting bladder control were also granted.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for cold injury of both feet or peripheral neuropathy of the feet. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his nonservice-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of peripheral neuropathy. The psychiatric disorder claim has been reopened due to new evidence relating it to a service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus). Service connection is also established for coronary artery disease as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Increased ratings are granted for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these disorders and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and examination reports.