Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and his military service. The Veteran's current employment as a postal worker is considered to be more likely related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial disability ratings for his service-connected peripheral artery disease of the lower extremities, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were denied. The conditions have been diagnosed as Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment prior to December 26, 2007.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, claimed as due to herbicide exposure, is denied because there is no evidence showing that he served in Vietnam during active duty and his condition is not related to any incident or event in service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is found to be related to his in-service experiences. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he required regular aid and assistance, nor was he considered permanently confined to his home.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 30 percent, reflecting severe incomplete paralysis. The left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Effective dates prior to April 13, 2006, were established for the grants of service connection for posterior subcapsular cataract in both eyes and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The Veteran was also awarded an effective date prior to June 1, 2006, for the grant of service connection for posterior subcapsular cataract in his right eye.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the January 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's toxic encephalopathy, bilateral peripheral vestibular loss, toxicant-induced loss of tolerance, sensorimotor and peripheral neuropathy, right frontal hypoperfusion, cognitive disability, dyssomnia, toxin-induced sleep disorder, and immune system injury were all incurred during her active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg and foot disability, to include claimed peripheral neuropathy secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus has been denied. The case is now REMANDED due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his bilateral knee disabilities and gout, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was improperly severed from service connection, and his claims for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for headaches were not timely appealed.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, left hip disorder, left leg disorder, left ankle disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for service connection for heart disease has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in November 2004, but no new or material evidence was found sufficient to establish service connection. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than noncompensable. Service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both feet has been granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy to his service, including due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to environmental toxins. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sciatic nerve neuropathy. The reopened claim is granted as the Veteran's bilateral sciatic nerve neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, cardiac arrest due to pneumonia with an unclear etiology, was substantially or materially related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.