Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, Celiac disease, allergic rhinitis, immune deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, muscle disability, and skin disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 40 percent effective April 6, 2013. The initial compensable ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities were granted effective March 17, 2012. The TDIU claim is granted effective November 26, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects, as they were not shown to be related to active service or any presumptive exposure conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as due to herbicide exposure, were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service events or diseases related to these conditions, and the presumption of herbicide exposure does not apply given the Veteran's lack of documented service in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy has been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis from January 23, 2004 to the present day; severe or complete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve is not shown. Therefore, an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for right ulnar neuropathy has not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability due to a right leg fracture, tremors, pes planus, or peripheral neuropathy. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeals were denied on the grounds that there was no evidence of a service connection for any of the conditions he claimed, and his claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has jurisdiction over the propriety of a compensable rating for residuals of fracture, left cheekbone, left malar. The Veteran's facial nerve damage, trigeminal nerve, is rated 10 percent since February 27, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity weakness and peripheral sensory neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for peripheral sensory neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were also denied by the Board.

The Veteran's right elbow disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to May 31, 2006 and increased to 10 percent effective that date. The Board found the claim had remained pending since July 2000, resulting in a review of all relevant periods.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnosis or etiology supporting this claim. For his left eye diabetic retinopathy, the Board will need additional information and a medical opinion to determine if it is related to diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; neuropathy; congestive heart failure; and renal failure. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for Type II Diabetes Mellitus with erectile dysfunction and associated peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity were granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective November 14, 2011. The claim for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also granted, but at a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic uveitis of the right eye and secondary glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the appeal is premature and remands for further action, including adjudication of the appellant's request to be substituted as the claimant.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurological disability of the left upper extremity is not related to service or service-connected left shoulder injury residuals, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 18, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his in-service cold injury, and thus denied service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain his military personnel records, private medical records, and supplemental medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right knee and bilateral foot disabilities that he alleges are related to a fall from a rope during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fractured left great toe was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.