Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness, cramping, and difficulty walking and standing, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities have all been denied.,Special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance has been granted.

The Board has determined that further VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and its impact on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. The claim for an increased rating for his generalized anxiety disorder was granted, with ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to February 1, 2007, and from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus was denied by the RO in November 2006.

The Board determined that the Veteran's diagnosed autonomic neuropathy with small fiber neuropathy is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed period of service and obtain his service medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, hypertension, and vitreous detachment of the left eye, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, finding no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including an examination to determine his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service and exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his peripheral neuropathies are being remanded to obtain updated VA medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetic neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetes mellitus with neuropathy.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and generalized sensory neuropathy are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary theory of connection.

The Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation were denied. The initial rating for sleep apnea was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and fusion of the colon and bladder were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. Therefore, his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, liver transplant, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy were denied as they are not shown to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities with effective dates of February 24, 2006. The Veteran's initial ratings have been assigned at the maximum schedular rating available.