Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange and for an earlier effective date for a PTSD rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right ulnar neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in his lower extremities and a left eye disorder as secondary to his right eye disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent effective January 23, 2008. The initial evaluations for his upper extremity peripheral neuritis remain unchanged.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, respiratory problems, and peripheral neuropathy as they were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence did not establish a medical nexus between military service and these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion from an ophthalmologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy of the lower extremities was denied as there is no current disability due to this condition.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, and abdominal neuropathy, all claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8515.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been rated at 10 percent prior to June 7, 2007. The Board finds that a higher initial evaluation is not warranted for any time during this appeal. Additionally, the Veteran has been found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and coronary artery disease are all granted. Varicose veins are not service-connected.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted increased evaluations to 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, each associated with diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the non-service-connected disability pension award, finding that entitlement arose on November 16, 2004, when the Veteran's private physician provided medical evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The conditions claimed, including hemorrhoids, parotid calculus and lump on the left cheek, skin condition of the hands, bronchitis, laryngitis, frostbite of the feet and hands, otitis media, compression neuropathy of the left side, bilateral knee pain and fluid, allergic reaction to a typhoid shot (chronic rhinitis), and exposure to ethylene and nitrous oxide gases were not found to be service-connected or warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tuberculosis, liver damage and hepatitis, endocrine system damage with diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, neuropathy of extremities, diabetic retinopathy blindness, and headaches. The decision found that new evidence did not support reopening the claim for residuals of tuberculosis, and that there was no direct service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.