Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded for further development to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II and related conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The claims for an increased initial rating for migraine headaches and an increased rating for posttraumatic neuropathy, left eye, with diplopia are being remanded for additional development.

The appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of basic eligibility as his National Guard service during Hurricane Katrina relief operations was not federalized. The evaluation of peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was also denied, with no increase in rating.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, but denied increased ratings for sciatic neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's service connection for depression was denied, while he was granted a separate 10 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity.

The case was remanded for additional development, including a current examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's sciatic neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in all extremities, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board remands the claims for a VA psychiatric and general examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and carpel tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding no evidence that these conditions were related to the Veteran's service or his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, a left lower leg scar, and left leg neuropathy as there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus type II, are significant enough to prevent him from engaging in any type of substantially gainful employment.

The case was remanded for further development, including a VA neurological examination and review of additional evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to August 28, 1996, for service connection for axonal peripheral neuropathy was denied because the RO's April 1998 decision is not considered clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board determined that the grants of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and impotence were clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spines, and neuropathy of the right arm, all found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board finds that it is more likely than not that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was first manifest in service and grants service connection for this disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, onychomycosis and psoriasis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied as a matter of law.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current ulnar neuropathy is related to an in-service injury.