Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left hip arthritis was denied, and his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand is pending. The Board finds that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, both for accrued benefits purposes. The evidence did not meet the criteria for either claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his active duty service. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not have current peripheral neuropathy in either upper or lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which includes the peroneal nerve. The Veteran's symptoms of pain and numbness in her left great toe are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and whether he currently has peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claim for erectile dysfunction will also be addressed as it may impact the SMC claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not shown to be related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran died from cardiorespiratory arrest due to congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arterial hypertension. His type II diabetes mellitus is a presumptive disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left hip disorder is not related to his active service and thus denied the claim. However, due to new evidence of a current left hip disorder and potential continuity of symptoms during service, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran does not have asthma or peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities that were caused or aggravated by his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against both claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination considering his current condition and service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and tinnitus. The increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, hypertension, and autonomic neuropathy of the gastrointestinal tract with complications of small bowel obstruction are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus is being remanded. Additionally, the claims for service connection of hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and sleep apnea are also being remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The skin disability claim is also being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability, and has therefore remanded the case for additional examination and readjudication.

The Board found that peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was not incurred as a result of service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is denied.

The Board finds that there is no competent evidence of record relating the Veteran's cervical spine disability to his service in the military.,There is also no competent medical evidence that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity which is related to his military service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not present in service, did not develop to a degree of at least 10 percent within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise shown to be causally related to a disease, injury or event in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for polyneuropathy of both lower extremities is denied.