Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as his service connection claims. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for idiopathic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy, hyperlipidemia, and a chronic cough as secondary to Agent Orange exposure or diabetes mellitus. The veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The case is REMANDED for scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent effective August 5, 2005. The right knee disorder is rated at 20 percent effective August 5, 2005.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and grants service connection for both right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, right foot neuropathy, and right calf compartment syndrome were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation of the right knee was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is service-connected, and the examiner found degenerative joint disease with moderate sized right paracentral disc protrusion at C5-C6 resulting in mild spinal cord compression and right greater than left neural foraminal impingement as likely related to service.

The Board granted an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD and assigned an effective date of February 18, 1997. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 60 percent in combination, but do not render him individually unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Korea is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability). The secondary service connection claims for diabetic-related peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy are also granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but further development is needed before deciding whether service connection should be granted.,Regarding peripheral neuropathy, there is no competent medical evidence of current diagnosis or etiology. The veteran's diabetes mellitus may not have caused his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and sciatic neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical examination to determine if he meets the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, given his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted, with the exception of the herniated nucleus pulposus claim which is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy. The veteran was rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7913 due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for calcaneal neuropathy of the right foot and a rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board granted an effective date of March 21, 2002 for the veteran's service connection for peripheral neuropathy and assigned a 10% disability rating. The TDIU was also granted with an effective date of September 23, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disability is not related to his active military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to determine his eligibility for special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of being housebound, including evaluating the severity of his service-connected impaired sphincter control. The issue of an increased rating for impaired sphincter control is also referred back to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his hepatitis C or the interferon treatment, and thus do not qualify for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, right ear hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. An earlier effective date for right ear hearing loss was not granted.