Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and a low back disability, but further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim regarding an orthopedic disability of the feet.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as whether these conditions are related to his active duty service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all six issues have been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 29, 2007 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus II with bilateral peripheral neuropathy associated with herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals and peripheral neuropathy, contributed to his death from Alzheimer's disease and coronary artery disease.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for cervical disc disease with arm neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 11, 2003 and from March 11, 2003 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's testicular cancer is related to his military service and providing notice consistent with Kent v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is denied. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and optic neuropathy.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that he did not have a period of at least 10 years prior to his death where he was rated as totally disabled. The Board also found no evidence indicating that any acquired psychiatric disorder contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent since April 21, 2003. The symptoms have included decreased sensation, numbness, and pain that prevent standing for long periods, ambulation, and sitting for long periods.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with associated neuropathy is rated at an initial 20 percent, effective March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left feet have been rated at 10 percent each. The claims for higher initial ratings were denied. However, the Veteran was granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical mycocytes, claimed as neck injury, due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between his current disability and an in-service injury. The lumbosacral strain with disk protrusion is not considered incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left foot neuropathy, residuals of a bunionectomy performed in June 1983 at the Kerrville VA Medical Center. The case is remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to determine if the current disability resulted from carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his unemployability and the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD; peripheral neuropathy; and a skin disability. The denial is based on lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for tuberculosis. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and is not proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disorder. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.