Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral severe sensory motor axonal peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and need for additional opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities warrants a 20 percent rating in each extremity, as his condition is characterized by moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, as well as service connection for PTSD (reopened) and impotence. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent, but no higher rating is granted due to lack of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and pericarditis are denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is March 18, 2004.

The veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities that are related to his military service. His claim for TDIU is pending as he has other service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's left lower extremity neuropathy was not caused by VA medical treatment and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy have been granted with combined rating of 100 percent. As a result, there is no longer a case or controversy regarding these issues.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a right knee disability related to his military service and denied his claim. The issue of peripheral neuropathy is also denied as it was determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities as residuals of cold injury, finding no direct evidence linking these conditions to active service.,Service connection was also denied for gout, with the Board noting that there is no direct evidence linking this condition to active service.

The Board denied service connection for anemia, exposure to Agent Orange, and increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus, thyroidectomy residuals, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. Service connection was granted for residuals of a thyroidectomy with a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's low back strain and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of either lower extremity for purposes of service connection, and thus denied both issues on appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying opinions regarding the relationship between his preexisting bilateral pes planus and service.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is more likely caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, and grants this claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus (Type II), were denied. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disability from October 6, 1995 to December 20, 1995 and from March 1, 1996 through April 16, 2003. The claimant was also granted a compensable initial evaluation of 10 percent for his left occipital neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his service, with the exception of a possible percutaneous exposure in 1978. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's service connection claim for tingling, pain and numbness of the hands was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, left knee osteoarthropathy and patellar chondromalacia, and right knee osteoarthropathy were also granted with initial ratings ranging from 10% to 20%. The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was rated at 10%, while his left and right knee conditions received separate 10% evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, which is believed to be due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected erectile dysfunction and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence of a physical deformity in the case of erectile dysfunction or compensable disability from the date of service connection.