Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that no communication or correspondence from the Veteran could be interpreted as a claim prior to May 24, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that pes planus was not aggravated by service and that none of the other claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's skin disorder, spine disorder, arthritis, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and active military service.,The Veteran's spine disorder is not service-connected as there was no chronicity in service or continuity since separation from service. The Veteran did not sustain an injury or disease during service that could be linked to his current condition.,The Veteran's arthritis, orthopedic, and muscular problems are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and active military service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected as there was no chronicity in service or continuity since separation from service. The Veteran did not sustain an injury or disease during service that could be linked to his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including hypertension, respiratory disorder, chronic sinus infections, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and sores from his right buttock.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective January 29, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are related to his military service. Bilateral hearing loss is granted as a result of noise exposure during service. Tinnitus is also linked to service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy to his service or presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being August 1, 2007.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, which he contends is due to his military service. The Board has determined that presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure does not apply as there are no manifestations of peripheral neuropathy within the required one-year period after separation from service. A VA Compensation and Pension examination will be ordered to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed condition is related to his military service, including due to his conceded Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is due to his service-connected arthritis of the cervical spine, and left ulnar neuropathy had its onset during active service. Therefore, service connection for a neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities is granted.

The Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities other than carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, rendered him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. Service connection is granted for these conditions due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and headache disability are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again after a medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to his cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to June 21, 2011 and upgraded to 40 percent effective that date. The right lower extremity neuropathy was also granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the four extremities, including based on herbicide agents exposure, is denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran does not have diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of any upper or lower extremity, and the existing evidence does not support a finding that his diabetes mellitus has caused such conditions.