Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and fibromyalgia are related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated as noncompensable prior to December 16, 2005, and at 20 percent thereafter. Sleep apnea remains at a 50 percent rating. Service connection for the neck condition and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy were denied.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia (other than joint pains attributable to diagnosed disorders of the shoulders, back and knees), left hand neuropathy, right hand neuropathy, left upper extremity tremors, right upper extremity tremors, and shortness of breath.,The veteran's symptoms have been linked to an undiagnosed illness or exposure to toxic agents.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a bladder disability. The RO previously remanded the case in December 2006.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, do not render him incapable of securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for multiple sclerosis, left optic neuritis, or peripheral neuropathy.,There is no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period. The veteran's statements regarding a nexus to herbicide exposure are not considered competent medical evidence.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 30, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of TDIU benefits should be February 15, 2002, as this is the earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused him to be unemployable.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right arm diabetic neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinion regarding whether the veteran's current median neuropathy is related to his service-connected frostbite.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. Service connection was denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service, specifically his exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service combat stressors and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The VA also found no evidence linking the veteran's peripheral neuropathy to service, including herbicide exposure. As such, both claims were denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of her service.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the veteran's symptoms more closely approximate moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective June 10, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran was in civilian status at the time of his injuries, and therefore VA benefits for a spinal disability with polyneuropathy are not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vascular headaches, peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of both upper and lower extremities, tinea pedis/fungus infection/onychomycosis of both feet, all claimed as secondary to cold exposure. The decision also denies his claims for new and material evidence regarding service connection for residuals of cold injury; bilateral hearing loss; weakness and numbness of both lower and upper extremities; disability of both hands, manifested by pain, stiffness, and cold sensitivity; disability of both feet, manifested by pain, stiffness, fallen arches, and cold sensitivity; sinusitis; bilateral ankle disability; and bilateral knee disability.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.