Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and related conditions were denied. The RO found that the current rating of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims, including for peripheral neuropathy of the right leg, left leg, elbow, neck, low back, shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, or heart disorder. The claimant's statements regarding abdominal pain are deemed not credible.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are also referred for adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the feet and chronic infection of the feet, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise and supports the claim for service connection for primary lateral sclerosis (previously diagnosed as polyneuropathy), with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and his right ulnar neuropathy is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current ratings are adequate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not suffer from any of his claimed conditions during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible evidence to support a finding of exposure to herbicides. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for certification of eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for a current examination, as well as additional VA treatment records. The examiner will assess whether his peripheral neuropathy results in loss of use of one or both feet.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's cold weather injury residuals and lung disability are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he has separate ratings of 20 percent for each lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's spouse is denied enhanced DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) because the Veteran was not rated totally disabled for at least 8 continuous years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining deck logs of ships he served on and determining if he visited Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that his current conditions are more likely related to natural aging and hypogonadism rather than service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral peripheral vascular disease, and erectile dysfunction are all service-connected as they are related to his service-connected diabetes. The Board finds that these conditions were likely caused or aggravated by the diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.