Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for each of the Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy conditions, effective from the date of the July 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected median nerve neuropathy of the right hand is characterized by severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional examination to determine if the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a neurological disability in his hands and fingers that causes symptoms of numbness, including exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection claims, finding no CUE in the decisions.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities began in active service and is related to herbicide exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to March 31, 2010.

The Veteran's gallbladder condition, bilateral upper extremity condition (including tenosynovitis and peripheral neuropathy), periodontal disease, and bilateral hearing loss are not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or service. As such, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower and upper extremities or erectile dysfunction. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV and all related complications, including encephalitis and neuropathy. The claim for dental treatment purposes for loss of teeth secondary to HIV was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including CIDP, is related to his military service and herbicide exposure. The cervical spine DDD claim requires additional development as it involves a recent diagnosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is granted, as his condition is found to be related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the upper left extremity based on a manifestation to a degree of 10 percent disabling within one year of service separation, which qualifies under the presumptive provisions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by arthritis, and his residuals of bilateral foot injury, due to cold weather exposure, are related to service. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of diabetic neuropathy in the right and left upper extremities, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities were not caused by VA medical treatment, and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective July 6, 2010. The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to any service-connected disability or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy was not caused by in-service exposure to an herbicide agent, did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse are rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from September 19, 2008.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.