Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 24, 2009 for service connection of various disabilities associated with diabetes mellitus were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions existed continuously from May 8, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased rating of PTSD and service connection for various conditions including a sleep disorder, lung disorder, skin disorder, gunshot wounds to the chest and back, and hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed due to herbicide exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current condition is less likely related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his military service and that any current disabilities are not related to his service.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, other than carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his claims file and need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for peripheral neuropathy, concluding that the condition is not related to military service. The Veteran's claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have neuropathy of his right leg or left arm during service, and there is no current evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current neuropathies are considered to be related to his service-connected bilateral lower leg compartment syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as is his PTSD. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, upper extremities peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type 2, and lower extremities peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type 2 are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's heart disease and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The claims are denied.

The Board found no evidence of current neuropathy of the left side of the body and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all four issues, including the low back disability and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ulnar neuropathy.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial increased ratings for low back strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, rated as 20 percent disabling from October 22, 2004 to December 26, 2006, and as 40 percent disabling since December 27, 2006; and for radiculopathy with peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, rated as 10 percent disabling from October 22, 2004 to May 19, 2008, as 20 percent disabling from May 20, 2008 to July 7, 2011, and as 40 percent disabling since July 8, 2011.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities, as well as for an erectile dysfunction all of which he claims are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case is REMANDED due to conflicting VA medical opinions and the need to clarify the presence of diabetes prior to 2008.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of hearings at the Huntington, West Virginia, RO.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, and diabetic neuropathy of the left and right arms are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.