Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and acneform disease similar to chloracne as due to exposure to herbicides were denied. The Board found that the conditions did not manifest within one year of presumed Agent Orange exposure, and there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy was previously denied. The RO is now remanding the case to provide proper notice and readjudicate the issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the upper or lower extremities, nor a kidney disability or eye disability, which are etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. As such, these claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for secondary service connection are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including as secondary to his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, neuropathy of the lower extremities, arthritis of the right leg and arthritis of the back, all related to exposure to herbicide. The decision also noted that sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to a missing VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for numbness of the left hand, hearing loss, and skin rash on hands and feet have been granted. The claim for spots on the face remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The RO granted service connection for this condition and assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine with bilateral lower extremity neuropathy was denied. The Board found that his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for defective vision, peripheral neuropathy, thyroid tumor (claimed as tumor of the neck and throat), and an earlier effective date for a rating on pes planus. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is not considered to be caused by VA treatment, as the proximate cause was deemed to be an event reasonably foreseeable during surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.