Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The evidence does not establish the presence of a spinal cord disorder, other than peripheral neuropathy, that is related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis regarding his claims of peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure or secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy C8 with left hand neuropathy was granted effective from May 22, 2006. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to this benefit is May 22, 2006.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities warrants initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for the right and left upper extremities, respectively. The decision is based on the severity of the disability as evidenced by incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left elbow disability and left ulnar, radial, and median neuropathy.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to his physical impairment.

The veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and separate ratings of 10 percent for neurological impairment in the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are granted based on new evidence.

The RO granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy in May 2007, prior to the appeal being finalized.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the appellant's service-connected right shoulder disability and his current numbness in the fingertips, right hand. The VA medical opinions were deemed dispositive in determining that the appellant's upper extremity paresthesias are not due to or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and also denied his claim for carpal tunnel syndrome. The veteran is not entitled to either benefit.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange (herbicides), and finds that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also finds that the veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, which is presumed under VA regulations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected cold injury residuals. The Board has ordered additional development due to missing VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right lower extremity is characterized by moderate impairment due to weakness, diminished reflexes, and gait abnormalities. The criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent have been approximated.

The VA determined that the veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating, as it did not significantly worsen to qualify for a higher disability rating.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. However, it denied service connection for Parkinson's disease due to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service or herbicide exposure.