Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a request to U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) to investigate whether the veteran was exposed to Agent Orange at Webb Air Force Base in Texas.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current multiple joint disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis and polyneuropathy of the hands, wrists, and elbows, are not service-connected.

The veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. However, he does not have PTSD or residuals of a head injury resulting from his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure and finds that it is warranted under a direct theory of entitlement.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an etiological opinion regarding the veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including whether his limited ankle motion pre-existed service and if it worsened during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his shell fragment wounds (SFW) residuals, finding no evidence of moderately severe muscle disability under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the pension benefits. The appellant's income exceeded the statutory levels for receiving pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for type II diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his World War II POW status, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as new evidence supports this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and skin rashes as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a skin disorder secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, and hearing loss. The VA found no evidence of these conditions in service or that they are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a current disability manifested by bilateral pain, swelling, and numbness of the lower legs and feet, to include peripheral neuropathy, that is related to his period of active duty for training. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an increased evaluation for anxiety, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of anxiety was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ulnar and median neuropathy is not related to his service-connected residuals of a right index finger tendon laceration, and thus denied his claim for service connection.