Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, TMJ disability, and chronic sinusitis. The decision also denied his request to reopen these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet is attributable to service, specifically cold injury during active duty in Korea. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right hand condition, as the previous examination did not provide specific range of motion measurements.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an appropriate VA examination and additional medical records. The issues of specially adapted housing and earlier effective date are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left hallux valgus with bunionectomy and proximal metatarsal crest osteotomy disability, requires additional development. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The claims on appeal include an increased rating for prostate cancer residuals and T/R based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent aid and assistance due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, including left hand disability, right hand weakness, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy, were granted effective February 2, 2009. The rating assigned was 50 percent for the left hand disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, effective July 5, 2007. He also meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral feet is related to service, and he was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims for arthritis of the right hand and bilateral feet were not addressed due to a lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. Additionally, he is granted a separate 30 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his right upper extremity and a 20 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting his left upper extremity.

The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals during service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran's current diagnosed peripheral neuropathy is unrelated to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran does not have cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and entitlement to total disability based on unemployability were denied. The criteria for diabetes, atherosclerotic heart disease, and various types of peripheral neuropathy did not meet the requirements for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied. The examiner found that the Veteran's diabetes was at least as likely as not related to his inferred exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, but service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected neuroma of the right ankle and bilateral feet is rated at 40 percent disabling effective August 21, 2009. Prior to this date, she was granted a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred during his active service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to diabetes mellitus, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicides in Thailand, which could potentially grant service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type I and ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease as secondary to service-connected Graves' disease. The expert medical opinion supports these claims.