Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a right upper arm disability, left ulnar neuropathy, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral leg disability, forehead cyst, and neurological disability of the left hand. However, after review of all available evidence, including service records and post-service medical records, the Board finds that there is no credible evidence establishing a link between these disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and VCAA compliance issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for IDS was granted with a 20% rating effective March 1, 1999. The rating was increased to 40% effective December 21, 2005.,Since January 15, 2010, the Veteran has been rated at 60% for IDS due to severe limitation of motion and complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve bilaterally.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's hypertension and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are related to service, diabetes, or PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, back and neck bone spurs, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, a prostate disorder, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, or neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including heart murmur, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Board has determined that further development is needed for all issues on appeal.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left ear hearing loss disability were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service disease or injury and the long interval between service and diagnosis makes it unlikely that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in active service or due to exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence, including a medical opinion linking his conditions to in-service herbicide exposure. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from the March 2010 examiner to consider this new evidence.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for prostate disorder, tinnitus, scar (claimed as residual of back injury), back disability, kidney condition, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities. The VA audiologist concluded that the appellant's post-service tinnitus was not related to his military service.

The Board denied the appeal as the reduction of compensation benefits to 10 percent, effective April 24, 2006, due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and tinea unguium with tinea pedis and onychomycosis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than the currently assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including peripheral vascular disorder, restless leg syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to all of his service-connected disabilities, including the recently granted peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities with hand tremors, finding that these conditions are related to a cervical spine injury incurred during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.