Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities does not warrant a higher disability rating as it is currently rated, and effective dates for increased ratings are moot due to the current effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have exposure to herbicide agents during service, and therefore is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus. The claims of secondary service connection for diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension with renal insufficiency are denied as they are premised on a presumed service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that the criteria were not met.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral lower extremity disability, diagnosed as sensory axonal polyneuropathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred during such service due to exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of direct causation.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both hands does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of March 14, 2002. The RO considered the January 1995 SSA award letter as a pending claim for TDIU and determined that the earliest date entitlement arose is October 19, 2000.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's left foot cold injury residuals are currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 8, 2004. The right foot cold injury residuals remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for ilio-inguinal neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was reduced to a 10% rating effective March 1, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as being proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed post-traumatic stress disorder and peripheral neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors. As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, but found that an earlier effective date than May 8, 2001 is not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, pituitary macroadenoma and prolactinoma (claimed as brain tumor), a hip disorder, circulation problems of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral ankle swelling due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 11, 2003, for service connection and a 30 percent evaluation for right ulnar neuropathy. The appeal was not about reopening a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's diabetes mellitus, with peripheral neuropathy and pre-proliferative retinopathy, effective from the date of the claim.