Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he has CLL presumed due to herbicide exposure in Guam. His other disabilities are not found to be related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that there was CUE in the May 1972 RO decision, which did not address service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The effective date for the grant of service connection for these conditions is set at March 19, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected, as there was no evidence linking it to his military service. The other conditions were also denied due to lack of evidence connecting them to service.

The Veteran's bilateral elbow conditions, specifically right and left triceps enthesitis with ulnar neuropathy, are rated at 30 percent for each elbow. The effective date is not specified as the rating was granted temporarily.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent since December 2, 2005. The effective date for this rating is January 16, 2008.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service or a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus within one year after separation from active duty. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right leg was not incurred or aggravated in service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, bilateral foot disability, peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, ankle and leg disabilities, and diabetes mellitus. The case will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the low back.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service personnel records and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining an addendum from a VA examiner and obtaining treatment records.

The Board found that hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are not service-connected due to Agent Orange exposure or as a result of diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for radiculopathy and neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine was granted, but not higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lymphoma with tender surgical scar.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of acute peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities at a Board hearing.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II, CIDP of the upper extremities, kidney disorder, sexual dysfunction, bilateral foot disorder, heart condition, and hypertension, as they are not related to herbicide exposure during active service.