Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated by his service, and is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cancer of the neck glands, peripheral neuropathy, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent from May 8, 2001 through October 10, 2006; and 20 percent since October 11, 2006. Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher schedular evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VCAA notice and additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for updated medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, lesions on the scalp and forearm, and a hip disability. The claim for PTSD was granted with a 50 percent rating effective May 8, 2003. Service connection for a neurofibroma of the right knee is not currently in dispute.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship to Agent Orange exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's right local retrocubital ulnar neuropathy has been manifested by complaints of numbness of the right upper extremity and mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve since May 1, 1995. The condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder, finding no credible evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's claimed prostate disorder, kidney/renal disease, multiple cysts on the kidneys, peripheral neuropathy, bipolar disorder, osteoarthritis, hypertension, heart disease, and gout, all of which were alleged to be related to herbicide exposure during his reserve service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 22, 2004 for the grant of a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing that the veteran filed an informal claim prior to November 2004 or that his service-connected disabilities underwent an increase in severity within one year prior to November 2004.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for depression, reopened claims for service connection for various conditions including irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral polyneuropathy of the legs, and denied other issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and partial paralysis of the vocal cords due to surgery performed at a VA medical facility in February 2002, as his conditions were not caused by negligence or fault on the part of the VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ulnar neuropathy warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective October 10, 2002.