Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and a right elbow disorder were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is presumed to be due to his in-service herbicide exposure. His osteomyelitis and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected as it does not meet the presumptive criteria for diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and benign prostatic hypertrophy were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of February 21, 2008. His TDIU claim was granted with this effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm condition is not productive of limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or at the shoulder level, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is not productive of flexion limited to 45 degrees or less nor extension limited to 10 degrees or more, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain. The Veteran's left knee instability is only slight.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is productive of no more than slight instability.,The Veteran's service-connected CAD is not productive of a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,The Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy is productive of no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is only mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no more than noncompensable limitations in range of motion of the right wrist and each finger on the right hand, with no evidence of incapacitating exacerbations.,The Veteran's service-connected GERD is not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 or systolic pressure predominantly less than 160.

The Board has restored service connection for CAD (with hypertension and residuals of a myocardial infarction and residuals of coronary artery bypass grafting), Peripheral Vascular Disease with peripheral neuropathy of each lower extremity, and Erectile Dysfunction.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent as of September 8, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have valid exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that his currently diagnosed condition is not related to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for severance of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied. However, his claim for a left foot condition other than peripheral neuropathy was granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective March 20, 1991. The effective date was advanced based on the fact that he had been unable to work since the 1980s.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyneuropathy, left ulnar neuropathy, and left peroneal neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for further medical clarification regarding the diagnoses and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a new examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his peripheral neuropathy and hearing loss are related to service.