Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus and related conditions, including hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, rectal abscess, retinopathy, and renal insufficiency. The claim will be remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or prostate cancer that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of any connection between the appellant's current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of new and material evidence in reopening her sacroiliac instability claim, failure to meet schedular criteria for increased ratings, and failure to show that she suffered an additional disability as the result of VA treatment.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The initial evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus is now 60 percent, effective prior to September 23, 2002, and 40 percent from that date onwards. The initial evaluation for neuropathy remains at 10 percent.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that the veteran's condition required daily oral hypoglycemic medication and a restricted diet without insulin or activity restrictions.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and his cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or establish a causal link between service and current symptoms.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus with a history of weak feet, finding that the disability was manifested by severe bilateral pes planus with marked deformity.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected ganglion cyst residuals, but granted service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to new and material evidence submitted, but no rating or effective date is assigned as the issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected frostbite and related conditions contributed to his cause of death, which was aspiration pneumonia. The claim is granted.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance due to his functional impairment.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has decided that additional development, including a neurological examination and consideration of all evidence received since the last statement of the case, is needed.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for defective vision, vein blockage, headaches, neuropathy of the extremities, or hypertension. The veteran's contentions were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board found that the effective dates for the grants of service connection and rating for right foot idiopathic neuropathy, right leg scar, and left ring finger tendon rupture residuals are fixed at June 13, 2001. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied as there was no pending claim prior to June 13, 2001 that could have resulted in the grants of service connection or rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, including as due to herbicide exposure or as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a right hand fracture. The case has been remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's current symptoms were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted separate evaluations of 50 percent for the veteran's right (major) upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, 40 percent for his left (minor) upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and 20 percent each for his right and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy. The evaluations are effective as of February 9, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The RO denied all issues on appeal.