Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its associated conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's peripheral neuropathy to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing and further development. The veteran is seeking service connection for coronary artery disease, numbness of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the lower extremities, all claimed as due to burn pit exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and hypertension, are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disease and associated neuropathy of the upper extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the ulnar nerve neuropathy of the left hand, finding that it meets the criteria for this increased rating. The residuals of a laceration to the left hand are rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, VCAA notice, and compliance with Dingess v. Nicholson.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent for the veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus from March 27, 2001 to December 30, 2003. Since then, he is entitled to a 60 percent rating.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left wrist disability was dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction. The claim for SMP by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person has been reopened based on new evidence, but the criteria for receiving such benefits have not been met.

The Board has denied the claim for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at a 100% rate due to service-connected disability for a period of at least five years immediately after his discharge from active service or for 10 or more years prior to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his service or presumed exposure to herbicides, and it was also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities remains denied as there is no current diagnosis. The veteran's hypertension was not found to be aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the veteran does not have right upper extremity or left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran, who is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, met the criteria for accrued benefits based on a claim pending at the time of his death. Service connection was granted for prostate cancer and denied for left eye blindness, osteoporosis, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and breathing problems.

The veteran's left leg and right leg peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Code 8520. The veteran's left and right carpal tunnel syndromes are also rated at 10 percent.,There is no evidence of any other service connection theory applicable to these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, including as due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The current diagnoses were not related to service or any incident thereof.