Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran's abdominal lymphoma with metastasis to the bone marrow and peripheral neuropathy are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating since January 30, 2001. The issue of a separate evaluation for peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and meralgia paresthetica, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or presumptive exposure.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation which is sedentary in nature. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus, and an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The veteran claims service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service. The VA has not found sufficient evidence to grant this claim based on the presumptive provisions, but the duty to assist requires further examination and review of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of frostbite of the lower extremities and feet are linked to his exposure to cold temperatures during service in Korea, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 18, 1995 for the grant of service connection for pernicious anemia. The decision states that the effective date cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of the application.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected peripheral neuropathy, with atrophy of the first dorsal interosseus muscle of the right hand. The remaining issues regarding increased evaluations for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right upper extremity and muscles are remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbothoracic disc disease with arthritis did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The veteran does not have peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities that is service-connected. Service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's ataxia with peripheral neuropathy was not caused by VA negligence or fault, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's PTSD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the toes (claimed as stiff toes), degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left foot with tarsal tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to his military service. Cold injuries of the left ear, other than cancer of the left ear, were also found to be related to his military service.

The veteran is seeking to establish service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his service-connected conditions do not result in loss of use of any extremities.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable evaluations for the service-connected superficial peroneal nerve neuropathy of the left lower extremity and a scar, anterior upper third aspect of the left lower extremity. The claim for a compensable evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is dismissed as moot.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not found to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides. The low back disability and PTSD were also not found to be related to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as diabetes mellitus. The veteran's conditions are currently rated at 60 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and lower extremity neuropathy.