Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU from January 5, 2009. The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right posterior thigh with peripheral neuropathy affecting the cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve and the popliteal (common peroneal) nerve are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5313-8521. The Veteran's disability does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of more than moderate impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center on October 10, 2007 were reimbursed due to the emergent nature of his treatment for a service-connected condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently existing neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not etiologically related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, including his thoracolumbar strain. The claim for secondary service connection for neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence to support his PTSD diagnosis and the other conditions did not appear related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, which he claims is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim will be remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and potential Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted at 20 percent effective June 29, 2004. The issues of service connection for a sleep disability and prostate disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's emphysema is secondary to his service-connected COPD and nicotine dependence, but not his pulmonary fibrosis. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected COPD and nicotine dependence.,Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy cannot be established as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a bilateral shoulder disability, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The decision also addressed his claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine arthritis, as well as his TDIU request.

The Board denied service connection for sensory neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to a ganglion cyst, including as secondary to service-connected osteochondritis dissecans (right OCD) of the right medial femoral condyle. Separate compensable evaluations were also denied for Morton's neuroma and pseudoarthritis of the right great toe.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected knee disorder and the medication prescribed for it. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is denied.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities in September 2009, resulting in a successful resolution of the issue on appeal and payment of past-due benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to assess his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities. The peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities and diabetes mellitus type 2 matters are not in appellate status.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board also granted service connection for hypertension as a result of the presumptive Agent Orange exposure, but denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction as due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if his peripheral neuropathy was aggravated by his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, both lower extremities. The claim was granted based on the presence of current disability (peripheral neuropathy) and a demonstration of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and left leg/foot neuropathy, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for left leg/foot neuropathy remains not reopened.