Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity have been granted at 40 percent, effective March 24, 2004. The initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity remain at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for mild ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, but denied service connection for neuropathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, finding that the conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, to include as a result of in-service exposure to herbicides, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and associated diabetic retinopathy with neuropathy of the left fingers are currently rated as 20 percent disabling. Separate ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity (left foot) and right lower extremity (right foot) have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated as follows: loss of use of both feet (100%), coronary artery disease (60%), PTSD (50%), arthritis of the lumbar spine (40%), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (30%), peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (20%), diabetes mellitus, type 2 (20%), compression of the L5 nerve root with numbness in the left foot (10%), and erectile dysfunction (noncompensable).

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, and will return the claims file after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for gastric maltoma was also denied, but the issue is being remanded.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial disability evaluation for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy (trigeminal neuralgia) of the face. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues and needs further development.

The Veteran's right hand disability, characterized by residual ulnar nerve neuropathy following a fracture, does not warrant a higher rating as the range of motion and neurological findings are essentially normal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and updated treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy with kidney failure requiring renal dialysis, diabetic retinopathy of the eyes, and diabetic neuropathy. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his active duty, either direct or presumptive.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 10 percent, as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been denied as his erectile dysfunction does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.