Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for entitlement to special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as she is able to perform daily activities independently.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left hand ulnar neuropathy and flexor tendon laceration is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's increased rating claim for post-operative residuals of palmar fibromatosis, right hand is also denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; cardiovascular disability; cataracts; and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower extremity disability, alternately claimed as peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and restless leg syndrome is being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of certain medical records.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or anemia due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his active duty. The lung condition, diagnosed as COPD, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lung condition (COPD) to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The neuropathy of the left upper extremity was not present in service and has not been linked to service.,The Veteran's claimed neuropathy of the left upper extremity did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for SMC due to loss of use of the right leg is denied. The issue of service connection for neuropathy of the upper extremities was dismissed as the appellant withdrew it.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The heart disorder claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The diabetes mellitus claim resulted in a 10% rating, which is the maximum allowed under the criteria. The left and right lower extremity neuropathy claims were granted with each receiving a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, bladder control problem, and bowel incontinence are denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for kidney disorder as a complication of his service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus with renal insufficiency. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted with an initial noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 14, 2007 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted. The effective date is set at November 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension were not incurred in active service or as a result of service-connected disability. These conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to herbicides, but there is no evidence showing such exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for L5-S1 disc space narrowing and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's in-service back injury. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional information and possibly further development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as details about his temporary duty assignment in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service, specifically his exposure to cold temperatures in Korea. The arthritis claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship with service.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated as 20 percent disabling each, effective March 13, 2002. The Veteran contends that his symptoms have worsened.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, effective March 13, 2002. The Veteran contends that his symptoms in the lower extremities are at least equal to those in the upper extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, left ankle fracture, and left axonal sensory neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.