Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether they are related to his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is granted.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for diabetic neuropathy and erectile dysfunction were denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is February 18, 2004.,The veteran was granted an effective date of December 6, 2004 for his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's DJD of the left wrist with CTS, finding that his symptoms were best described as mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve without limitation of motion or X-ray findings of degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for autonomic insufficiency, end-stage renal failure, peripheral neuropathy, and orthostatic hypotension as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a neurological examination and consideration of newly obtained private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left hand and wrist injury with left median neuropathy more nearly approximates disability consistent with moderate incomplete nerve paralysis, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's demyelinating polyneuropathy with impotency is related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including review of his claims file and a VA examination. The issues on appeal are service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes cavus and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative changes and radiculopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, small and large bowel resection, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and cataracts as residuals of Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link to military service.

The Board found that the reduction in evaluation from 20% to 0% was procedurally correct and that improvement in the veteran's clinical picture was shown at the time of the reduction. Therefore, restoration of a 20% rating is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for HHD was denied, and his claim for a T/R due to service-connected disabilities was also denied. The RO found that the veteran's HHD is currently rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the minimum schedular criteria for a T/R but does not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and an increased (compensable) evaluation for erectile dysfunction. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II is granted with a 20 percent rating prior to May 2, 2006.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his peripheral neuropathy, which he contends is secondary to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board has ordered additional development of private treatment records and proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his claimed Vietnam service and determine if he is eligible for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various disorders, including diabetes mellitus and visual neuropathy, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, arterial hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims were also denied regarding reopening of the peripheral neuropathy claims due to lack of new and material evidence.