Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his right and left lower extremity neuropathy, finding that they did not meet the schedular criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right genitofemoral nerve neuropraxia is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for neuropathy of the right femoral (anterior crural) nerve. The maximum ratings available under existing diagnostic codes have been assigned.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective August 6, 2008.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective August 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities was remanded by the Court. The effective date of his TDIU award is May 2, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine his current conditions and entitlement to benefits. The claims of service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, chronic foot infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and SMP are currently on hold pending completion of this development.

The Board has granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, with a rating of 30 percent for each. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, ganglion cysts (right foot and left wrist), degenerative joint disease (upper and lower extremities), back condition, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are all pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to type II diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's current diagnosis is considered presumptive based on his presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy or residuals of Guillain-Barre syndrome is related to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, with sedentary forms of employment being possible.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent each, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is found to be related to his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as hypertension, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy as the conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection claims, particularly with respect to hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, hypertension, and a skin condition. The decision also addressed issues related to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and lower back disability.