Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection. However, due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors, the claim for PTSD remains denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes mellitus, with associated conditions, is granted. The effective date of service connection is set at May 8, 2001.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claims for service connection for chloracne and neuropathy of the upper extremities as a result of exposure to Agent Orange were also denied due to lack of evidence showing onset within one year of service.

The veteran's diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 10% each, but no higher. The veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy has a noncompensable rating.,For the period prior to December 19, 2005, the residuals of an old healed fracture of the left fibular of the left ankle are rated as 10%. For the period beginning December 19, 2005, the disability is rated at 20%.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 7, 2003 for the award of TDIU based on factual ascertainability as of that date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, fracture of the right wrist with secondary neuropathy, residuals of a fractured left mandible and maxilla with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and facial scars, do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The combined rating is 80 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residual scars of a gunshot wound to the left thigh and post-traumatic peripheral neuropathy of the left femoral cutaneous nerve were denied as there is no evidence that meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and lower extremity neuropathies are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no additional compensable ratings for either condition.

The veteran is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, loss of use of both feet, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and neuropathy of the left foot. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and there is no competent evidence linking any diagnosed upper extremity disorder to service or service-connected diabetes. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted but remains at a noncompensable rating. For neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support an increased disability rating.

The veteran's asthma, chloracne, and peripheral neuropathy were not found to be related to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10%.

The Board is unable to determine if the veteran's conditions are related to his military service, as there is insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and ionizing radiation. The claims for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology and the absence of a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and polyneuropathy of the left leg, finding no evidence to support these claims. The decision also noted that the veteran had previously been denied service connection for an elevated diaphragm condition in January 1994, but new evidence did not reopen this claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to a lack of records related to an incident involving a malfunctioning ejection seat in service.

The veteran's small fiber neuropathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke, prostate disability, and peripheral neuropathy, all secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link them to service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a neurological examination to assess the severity of his right sciatic neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 22, 2004 for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right femoral neuropathy is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, specifically diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and/or hypertension. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.