Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all claimed as secondary to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right arm and neuropathy of the right ulnar nerve, finding that the conditions did not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a cold injury in the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link these disabilities to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cold injury residuals, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails bilaterally. The veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected due to lack of evidence relating it to service or noise exposure. His fungus infections are found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities (claimed as residuals of frostbite) and granted it. The Board also found that diabetes mellitus was incurred in service, with a rating assigned at 100%.

The veteran is entitled to special mode transportation due to his service-connected disabilities and medical necessity.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper extremities, secondary to type II diabetes mellitus and determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions regarding PTSD, potential need for additional evidence from SSA, and incomplete notification of the claimant.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastric cancer, kidney disease, and peripheral neuropathy as a result of such exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his exposure to herbicides in service, specifically Agent Orange. Therefore, the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The veteran's skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy are granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to November 16, 2004 that the veteran was permanently and totally disabled due to his service-connected conditions. Therefore, the effective date for non-service-connected disability pension cannot be earlier than November 16, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to connect any past or present symptoms to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 30 percent for neuropathy of his right fifth and seventh cranial nerves, finding that the condition did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding the veteran's status at the time of his injuries and to obtain medical opinions if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy and skin condition are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional VA medical records and providing him with VCAA notice regarding disability ratings and effective dates.