Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his hearing request and appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to VA benefits for the cause of his death or any other claims.

The Veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease with stent angioplasty to right coronary artery was not manifested by a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope prior to October 15, 2007. As of October 15, 2007, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (right and left), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected diabetes mellitus or any other service event.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to warrant a total disability rating for the entire appeal period, due to its severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear intent regarding the issues of increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease, right hip and right leg parasthesias.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as dyslipidemia. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange, and the conditions did not manifest within a year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity, bilaterally.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities did not warrant separate compensable disability ratings as a distinct condition from his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are addressed in the decision. The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen several previously denied claims, but did not grant any of the individual claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claims or because they were otherwise not supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, presumed due to Agent Orange exposure during military service, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed due to his service-connected right peroneal neuropathy and the VA medical care he received. The RO will also consider whether he was entitled to benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hypogammaglobulinemia, service connection for peripheral neuropathy (secondary to the service-connected hypogammaglobulinemia), and residuals of a bilateral hamstring injury were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a service-connectable bilateral hamstring disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mental health condition and multiple physical impairments, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent from March 2, 2006. Effective October 18, 2006, the Veteran is entitled to a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The claimant's appeal regarding increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease from October 18, 2006 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is denied as there is no current clinical evidence or diagnosis of this disorder. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.