Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and to reopen his service connection claims for thyroid condition, heart condition, peripheral neuropathy, and dermatitis. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from various VA facilities and Georgetown University Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the veteran's coronary artery disease is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending as the RO has not yet issued a Statement of the Case.

The Board found that the veteran's current autoimmune diseases are not causally related to his service-connected rheumatic fever and streptococcal infection, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board found no evidence of cold injury residuals or bilateral peripheral neuropathy related to service. The veteran's left leg disability is not shown to be due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims, including verification of the veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and port calls in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as a result of exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) during active service, finding that the veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure and his current diabetic peripheral neuropathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injury to the left and right upper extremities, as well as separate evaluations for a scar on the left shoulder and damage to muscle group XVII in the left buttock. Peripheral neuropathy due to cold injury is also granted with separate evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease within the presumptive period. The veteran also failed to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance have been remanded due to a procedural defect. He is requested to provide his preference regarding a hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his service connection claim for peripheral neuropathy as due to exposure to herbicides, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinson's disease and peripheral neuropathy due to lead-based paint exposure, as there was no clinical or medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of his right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence does not support ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity, effective September 23, 2002. The veteran's low back disability claim includes complaints and contentions with respect to both orthopedic and neurologic symptomatology.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied all the issues related to increased ratings for various conditions of the veteran's left leg and knee, including shell fragment wounds and neuropathy. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing no more than moderate impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as it is characterized by symptoms such as pain and weakness. The disability does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated neuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted, with a 40 percent evaluation assigned effective February 8, 2002, for both conditions. The decision also noted that there were no incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting higher ratings.

The Board found no evidence of current peripheral neuropathy and denied the veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his symptoms were not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to herbicide exposure due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.