Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's sensorimotor axonal peripheral neuropathy is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 17, 1998 was denied due to CUE. The motion argued that VA did not properly inform the veteran of the different criteria for rating ulnar neuropathy affecting his major or minor upper extremity. After reviewing the record, the Board determined there was evidence of CUE and granted the motion to revise the decision such that February 27, 1998 is the effective date for the 60 percent disability evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness in the right lower extremity as secondary to a service-connected low back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, and neuropathy secondary to Type II diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no evidence of diabetes during service or within one year after retirement, thus denying direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple joint arthritis is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for cold injury residuals remains pending as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding its etiology.

The veteran's claims for increase in right knee chondromalacia and initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for a rating for low back injury is also denied.

The Board found no evidence of current neuropathy, chronic headache disorder, tinnitus, TMJ dysfunction, skin rash, back disorder, heart disorder, or kidney disorder. The veteran's service records do not show any such conditions during his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition and diabetes mellitus with associated neuropathy, are now shown to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to these conditions as of August 8, 2006.

The veteran's left and right lower extremity neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 60 percent from April 18, 2007. The neuropathy of the right lower extremity warranted a 10 percent rating since August 14, 2003. The dermatitis of the left forearm did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the claims for service connection for a stomach ulcer, pigmentation of the right eye, avitaminosis, bilateral ulnar nerve peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral deQuervain's tenosynovitis. As such, these claims are dismissed without prejudice.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The veteran's service-connected conditions were rated based on their direct impact without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic hypertension, a chronic spine disorder, a chronic right hip disorder, a chronic left hip disorder, and a generalized arthritis disorder. The claims for service connection for chronic myositis, chronic right upper extremity neuropathy, chronic left upper extremity neuropathy, chronic right lower extremity neuropathy, chronic left lower extremity neuropathy, and chronic erectile dysfunction are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left hand and wrist neuropathy condition is etiologically related to his period of service, granting him service connection for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, both presumed related to exposure to Agent Orange during service. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year after separation from service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss as it likely resulted from active military service. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, presumed related to Agent Orange exposure, was denied.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 5, 2004 to March 6, 2004 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are denied as the treatment was not for a medical emergency.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a hearing request. The issues of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as TDIU, are still pending.

The veteran's current diagnoses of severe polyneuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and asymmetric sensory neuropathy are not considered to be associated with his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.