Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities) do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that they are causally related to events during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for loss of use of all extremities was also denied as there is no evidence showing permanent disability resulting from a disease or injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's morbid obesity is caused or aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities during service or at any time after separation from active duty. The Veteran's subjective symptoms have not been confirmed by objective medical findings, and his claim for secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcer, skin rash (chloracne), peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, abnormal chest X-ray findings, multiple myeloma, and porphyria cutanea tarda. The appeals were based on secondary service connection due to exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective August 9, 2007. His neuropathy of the right leg is also rated at 40 percent, effective August 9, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and traumatic amputation of the left hand, are found to require regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations and mental health issues. The Board has granted an increased rate of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left hip arthritis was denied, and his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand is pending. The Board finds that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, both for accrued benefits purposes. The evidence did not meet the criteria for either claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, which he claims is related to his active duty service. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran did not have current peripheral neuropathy in either upper or lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, which includes the peroneal nerve. The Veteran's symptoms of pain and numbness in her left great toe are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and whether he currently has peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claim for erectile dysfunction will also be addressed as it may impact the SMC claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not shown to be related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran died from cardiorespiratory arrest due to congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and arterial hypertension. His type II diabetes mellitus is a presumptive disease.