Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The veteran was granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes, but denied service connection for liver disorder and erectile dysfunction.

The veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the feet, to include as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU was denied because the medical records indicating unemployability received in August 2000 and February 2001 do not constitute claims for a TDIU, and the requisite schedular criteria were not established prior to December 23, 2003.

The veteran was denied a certificate of eligibility for an automobile and adaptive equipment due to not meeting the criteria for loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or visual impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his umbilical herniorrhaphy scar was denied, and the claims to reopen service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right hands were also denied.

The claim for service connection for sciatica or pinched nerve with neuropathy of the legs and feet was remanded for further development due to missing records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, and bilateral cortical cataracts were denied increased ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased initial evaluation and earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, right leg, was denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for subacute peripheral neuropathy, emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea as they were not shown to be related to his active service or exposure to herbicides.

The appeal is remanded to provide sufficient notice and readjudication on the issues of secondary service connection that have been raised.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, erectile dysfunction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and a lung disorder. The veteran was also denied an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of Hodgkin's disease.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than that already assigned.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a T-12 fracture.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claims.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was withdrawn.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy were rated appropriately, but service connection for sensory peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or establish service connection.