Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lung cancer residuals was pending at the time of his death. His April 2005 pulmonary function test results supported an award of a 60 percent disability rating, which is granted as accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding whether he has this condition and if it is related to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy did not begin during service and is not related to service, thus denying his claim.

The Board denied service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda and peripheral neuropathy with secondary anxiety and hypertension, both of which are presumed to be associated with herbicide exposure. The evidence did not show current manifestations within one year of the last date of herbicide exposure in September 1970.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to unclear requests and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, trigeminal neuralgia, and right ear hearing loss were denied. The claim for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to a combined 100 percent service-connected rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine his ability to obtain and maintain employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and coronary artery disease have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as the conditions developed prior to November 15, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's diabetes and associated peripheral neuropathy are related to his military service, including considering whether early signs of diabetes were present during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation were not granted, as it was not factually ascertainable that he had peripheral neuropathy or loss of use of a creative organ prior to October 20, 2004.

The Veteran's cataracts and presbyopia are not service-connected as they are considered refractive errors. His erectile dysfunction is not found to be related to his diabetes mellitus, and there is no current diagnosis of neuropathy in either lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records review, and development of his service personnel records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also granted service connection for specific phobia but assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and service connection for loss of use of a creative organ as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the point that he is unable to perform his occupation, and the occupation for which he was rehabilitated has not been found unsuitable.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective September 12, 2003. Initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy were also granted and remain at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid/osteoarthritis and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed. The Board has granted the Veteran a 100 percent rating for PTSD, as well as an increase in his evaluation for diabetes mellitus with mild renal insufficiency, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and impotence.