Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that his alcohol dependence, substance-induced mood disorder and opiate/benzodiazepine abuse are not secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability. His peripheral neuropathy of the right leg was also not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, are denied. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his service. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for genital numbness, L4-L5 radiculopathy and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, trochanteric bursitis of the hips, and pelvic numbness.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board finds that additional development is needed to confirm the Veteran's presence in Vietnam and his exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity as to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is linked to his left upper extremity symptoms, including radial nerve neuropathy. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic spine has been granted with effective dates set at April 16, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peroneal nerve palsy with left foot drop, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral arms and legs, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be COPD, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's diabetes or other conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and non-specific urethritis, combine to result in a total disability rating. The Board finds that due to these disabilities, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which she contends is related to a back injury in service. The Board finds that further development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for clarification on the etiology of her current symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service connection for any of his claimed conditions, and thus denied all claims based on direct service connection. The appellant's death was attributed to other causes.

The Board denied a separate disability evaluation for ulnar neuropathy associated with the service-connected left elbow or shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no current chronic neurological symptomatology of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn. The Veteran is granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but the grant of special home adaptation is dismissed as it conflicts with the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and the Veteran has not provided credible evidence of an in-service stressor resulting in such a disability. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's renal insufficiency and peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities were not related to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have not been granted initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis and neuropathy of the right upper extremity. His VA medical records should also be updated.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The Board also determined that it is less likely as not caused by or a result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.