Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals during service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran's current diagnosed peripheral neuropathy is unrelated to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not have cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and entitlement to total disability based on unemployability were denied. The criteria for diabetes, atherosclerotic heart disease, and various types of peripheral neuropathy did not meet the requirements for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied. The examiner found that the Veteran's diabetes was at least as likely as not related to his inferred exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, but service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected neuroma of the right ankle and bilateral feet is rated at 40 percent disabling effective August 21, 2009. Prior to this date, she was granted a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to diabetes mellitus, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could potentially grant service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease as secondary to service-connected Graves' disease. The expert medical opinion supports these claims.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and chloracne due to herbicide exposure are granted, but his claim for a TDIU is also granted. The Veteran currently has a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been granted. The Board has also determined that he is entitled to a higher rating for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and a total rating based on individual unemployability has been granted.

The Board granted an effective date of August 1, 2000 for payment of an annual clothing allowance due to the Veteran's use of orthotic devices prescribed by a private physician. The decision also addressed service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II permanently aggravated his peripheral neuropathy, which is now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral arm disability, specifically bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome with right ulnar neuropathy, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative changes of the right knee, as well as denial of service connection for psychiatric disorder (anxiety), cervical spine disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement regarding the denial of service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and printing out SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral elbow and wrist disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple level disc protrusion and compression fracture of T6 and T8, with mid-back sensory neuropathy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.