Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for sensory neuropathy of the right forearm or lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and there was no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left ulnar mononeuropathy status post left ulnar submuscular transposition and lumbosacral pseudoarthrosis have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilaterally, to include due to exposure to Agent Orange is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy, claimed as due to herbicide exposure during his service in the Gulf War era, was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not show that the Veteran had acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy within two years of presumed herbicide exposure and there is no evidence showing a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, finding that his diabetes mellitus had aggravated these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the arms, hands, legs and shoulders. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L2-3 and L5-S1, as well as his right foot disorder, to include a heel spur and sensory neuropathy, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset or relationship to his service-connected paralysis of the left peroneal nerve with complete left foot drop.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased ratings for a bilateral hip disability, peripheral neuropathy, and cervical nerve disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service, while his erectile dysfunction is not proximately due to or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. His peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was considered a complication of his diabetes mellitus. However, he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further action regarding PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated conditions such as diabetic cataracts, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease, are not related to his active duty service. The evidence did not support a presumption of exposure to herbicides or any other specific exposure basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The Board found no competent medical evidence relating the claimed conditions to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Social Security Administration and arranging for an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of his May 2003 rating decision. A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity neuropathy is granted since November 12, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination if needed. The claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has reconsidered the Veteran's claims and found that new service personnel records received since the January 1998 rating decision are relevant to his diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease claims. As a result, these claims have been reopened.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his TDIU claim, were granted. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.