Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity loss is equivalent to a below-the-knee amputation with prosthesis, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a disability of the legs, other than diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, have been denied. The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the right eye as a result of surgical treatment performed in November 1996 at a VA facility has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for various disabilities resulting from diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and bilateral lower extremity vascular disease was denied. The Veteran's PTSD also resulted in a denial of an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and multiple diabetic neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, are considered in determining his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The RO must obtain a supplemental opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity neuropathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the current state of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims were not supported by evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors or events.

The Board has determined that there was CUE in the October 2006 decision increasing the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and these prior ratings are not reinstated. The Veteran's sleep apnea is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to his employment status and service-connected disabilities during a specific period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim is granted for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper notice of secondary service connection requirements.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities, is not related to service or exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 23, 2004 for the grant of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not shown to be manifested by more than mild incomplete paralysis, and his erectile dysfunction is associated with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to spinal procedures during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities, finding that it is related to an in-service cold injury.