Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the VA examination report does not address his employability solely based on his service-connected disabilities, and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to chemicals. The Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include depression, cervical spine strain, traumatic injury to the lumbosacral spine with strain, post-traumatic right supraorbital neuropathy, and visual field defect of the right eye with glaucoma, have been rated based on their individual effects. The combined rating is 80 percent.

The Veteran's sinusitis, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetes mellitus have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The sinusitis is rated at 10 percent; the diabetic neuropathies are each rated at 10 percent; and the diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, a low back condition, and peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no current disability or evidence of in-service disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further verification of herbicide exposure at Fort Dix.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been rated at 40 percent since January 25, 2006. Prior to that date, it was rated as mild.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to new and material evidence submitted since the final December 2000 rating decision. However, no competent medical evidence supports a link between the current condition and active service.

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

The Veteran's residuals of hallux rigidus repair, right side and left side are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left-sided sciatica and peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for possible service connection, and the DIC claim is inextricably intertwined with this issue. The Board requires a VA medical opinion to determine if any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the lower extremities, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and lumbosacral spine disability. The appellant is not entitled to these claims as his conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities have been denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The criteria for specially adapted housing and automobile/adaptive equipment grants are not met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical spine disability is being remanded due to incomplete examination findings and the need to provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is at least as likely as not caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran does not have PTSD that is related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have vision loss due to an eye disability caused by diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy that is proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran does not have erectile dysfunction that is proximately due to or the result of service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and tinnitus were found to be related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's current neurological disability is not related to his active duty service period, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and social worker survey.

The Board found that the Veteran's Guillain-Barre syndrome was caused by a VA-administered influenza vaccination in 2002, but determined that this did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA.