Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that it is related to his military service and not due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was linked by a VA examiner to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for residuals of myocardial infarction status post percutaneous coronary intervention was not addressed due to the need for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension due to a lack of evidence showing in-service exposure or manifestations within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic venous insufficiency and polyneuropathy, claimed as bilateral ankle disorders, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his PTSD and heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected interdigital neuropathy of the left middle finger is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis. The claim for secondary service connection for a left arm condition was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and effective dates, finding that service connection had already been granted prior to February 27, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship with military service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the Veteran did not have actual duty or visitation in Vietnam, thus precluding presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability with sciatic pain, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the cause of death and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's failure to thrive.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim was November 1, 2004.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim was November 1, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that no higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, finding conflicting evidence regarding whether he has this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury to his feet, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Board also noted that any peripheral neuropathy is likely related to diabetes rather than cold exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were each rated at 10 percent prior to March 15, 2005. From March 15, 2005 to March 23, 2009, they were each rated at 10 percent.,After March 23, 2009, the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were each rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lower back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of diagnostic testing.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for accrued benefits and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation due to the severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus, as well as her request for retroactive payment based on an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA application documents. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.