Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a left leg disorder and a back disorder. The Veteran's STRs do not show any in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions, and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist and arm disabilities, as well as a left hand disability for purposes of accrued benefits. The Veteran's lung disability is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of right knee flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, extension beyond 3 degrees, subluxation, or lateral instability. Peripheral neuropathy was found to be mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. There is no evidence of ischemic heart disease, chronic heart disability (excluding hypertension), peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, rash on face and scalp, GERD, erectile dysfunction, renal insufficiency, sinus disability, or TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination of his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, as well as the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not established, and there are no chronic symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an examination to determine if the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is related to service and whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hand, and neuropathy disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with root compression due to spondylolisthesis is rated at 20 percent prior to April 1, 2009 and at 40 percent from that date. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since August 17, 2011. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent since August 15, 2007.

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

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine the nature of the Veteran's service in February 1992 and to ensure that all records are obtained, including those from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment status and financial income throughout the appeal period, as well as a determination of whether he meets the income eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his relocation, and he needs a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the appropriate Regional Office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was rated at 20 percent disabling, while radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity were each rated at 20 percent disabling as of June 11, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 2005, and the Board is granting a higher rating of 70 percent effective June 15, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea of the hands and feet is granted an increased rating to 60 percent. The Board also grants secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The neuropathy in her right upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, which was less than the maximum available rating under DC 8516. Her right shoulder disorder and fibrous mass excision to the right breast are not related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the service connection for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, as well as diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, should be restored from their initial grant dates.