Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Board granted service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chloracne, soft tissue sarcoma, Graves' disease, cervical spine disorder, and PTSD were denied. The ratings for essential hypertension with ocular changes, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU as there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service or secondary to his diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with aggravation of idiopathic polyneuropathy of both upper and lower extremities and left foot ulcer does not require insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. The Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as the left and right upper extremities, due to post-operative residuals of an intervertebral disc syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis of the upper extremities, shoulders, and neck.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was as likely as not related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Korea.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the right foot, and neuropathy of the left foot as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The case is remanded for additional procedural development.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The appeal for a higher initial rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was denied as the evidence did not support an initial rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability (to include neuropathy) and a right leg disability (to include neuropathy), as these disabilities were not due to any event or incident of the Veteran's period of active service, were not present within one year after service, and were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as he did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, a heart disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a left foot disorder, a right foot disorder, and a skin disorder.

The Board remands the claims for further development of the record, including a review of the Veteran's complete service personnel file and additional requests to JSRRC for deck logs.

The Board granted service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, but denied service connection for neuropathy of the upper extremities and a skin rash.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ulnar nerve neuropathy, finding that the condition was not aggravated by service and existed prior to entry.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, including brain damage and memory loss, as well as secondary conditions such as tinnitus, bilateral eye disorder, left hip and back disorder, and neuropathy of the left hand.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction does not result in a compensable evaluation, while his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities each warrant a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to his active military service.