Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was granted effective June 15, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date due to his employment status and medical conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, which has been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of hypertension, renal dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, hypoxia, hypersomnia, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain has been denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left side was not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a direct connection and denied presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity disability, including brachial plexus disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, and hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease requiring coronary artery bypass grafting is found to have aggravated his left cutaneous saphenous nerve dysfunction, which in turn caused a neurologic disability of the left leg. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disability, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral chronic plantar and calcaneal spurs, and neuropathy to the toes and balls of the feet is being remanded due to inadequate examination report. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed condition is related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was denied, and his SMC claim is pending as he has a service-connected disability rated at 60%.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to a documented stressor event during his period of active service. The bilateral hand disorder and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an etiological opinion regarding his claimed peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's complaints of weakness, numbness, and decreased sensation in his left upper extremity were not incurred or aggravated by service. The diagnosis was left ulnar neuropathy, which is a distinct condition from shoulder subluxations and chest deformities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the June 2009 rating decision. He also received separate ratings for right and left sciatic nerve impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and peripheral vascular disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for pyorrhea of the gums, schizophrenia, glaucoma, left eye blindness, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and amputation, middle finger, left hand. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service, specifically Agent Orange exposure during his time in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy in both upper extremities.