Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2010

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for actinic keratosis is denied. The issues of higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (numbness of the toes), right knee disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity were initially noted in service and have recurred since discharge. His nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy, including insomnia, are secondary to his now service-connected varicose veins and laser surgery of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened, but additional development is needed. His peripheral neuropathy claims are also remanded for further evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension. The decision found that the evidence did not establish clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for PTSD.

The May 1972 rating decision assigned initial ratings for the Veteran's conditions, but did not address earlier effective dates or CUE. The Board found no CUE and denied claims for earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Thailand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is directly related to her service-connected diabetes mellitus, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and dermatitis. However, it denied service connection for heart disease as there is no evidence linking it to service or exposure to TCE.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology had not been properly weighed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, which is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, was denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed foot disability that is attributable to active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided an examination as to the etiology of his neurological condition of the left upper extremity, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not that any current neurologic disability of the left upper extremity was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability required insulin and a restricted diet with regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, pinched nerve in left shoulder and arm, skin disability other than vitiligo, tinnitus, CAD, CVD, bilateral eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, and PVD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, lung nodules, and peripheral neuropathy are related to his service, with a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. However, the skin cancer is not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.