Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for increased evaluations and service connection are moot.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, resulting from hypercholesterolemia during service, is granted. His spine disability remains at a 50% rating and his sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10%. The claims are all granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right leg, and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any presumptive exposure.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected cervical spine disability with neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to unclear assignment of the rating, as well as the need for clarification on the severity of neurological impairment.

The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is insufficient to properly determine the appropriate initial disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records, including SSA records and VA examination results.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on new evidence. The issues of service connection for PTSD and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for peripheral neuropathy, claimed as due to exposure to an herbicide agent, are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his service-connected low back disability, including examination and review of medical records. The issues on appeal include a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease with neuropathy, temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery, and TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, residuals of typhoid fever, and hearing loss in the right ear have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes, peripheral neuropathy (both lower extremities), and diabetic retinopathy have been granted initial evaluations of 20 percent each from July 30, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 9, 1999 for TDIU due to lack of factual ascertainability prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder that is proximately due, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy are pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected elbow and thigh injuries were partially granted, with a 30% rating assigned for the left posterior thigh condition. The elbow condition remains at 10%. The effective date is not specified.

The Board finds that the veteran's request for service connection for hypertension, as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is granted. The decision also includes a waiver of overpayment in an amount not specified.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to address the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as secondary service connection claims. The case will be reviewed de novo after resolving these intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding a visit to Vietnam and further development is needed for service connection claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected right arm and shoulder disabilities.