Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease were denied as these conditions did not develop due to inservice exposure to herbicides or military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent or 10 percent under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic peripheral neuropathy, finding that there is no direct evidence linking the condition to his herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a head trauma and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the veteran sustained a head injury while in military service, or that his current conditions are related to such an injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a laceration of the right middle finger due to lack of current disability and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. The RO denied his claims for higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that separate compensable ratings for the peripheral neuropathy cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, status post arthroscopy.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including separate neurological and orthopedic examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and its manifestations. The case will be reviewed again by the AMC based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the extremities, PTSD with depression, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The appeal regarding these issues is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the right ear hearing loss claim. The veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is addressed in the remand below.

The VA has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent due to the lack of evidence showing regulation of activities.

The Board denied service connection for arteriovenous malformations of the brain and peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a superimposed pathology during service or in the first post-service year.

The Board found that the thoracic spine disability is not related to service and the residuals of a right elbow fracture with ulnar neuropathy do not warrant an increased rating.