Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for neuropathy of the right thigh, status post surgical resectioning of the cutaneous nerve due to subjective accounts of pain and sensory deficit over the anterior of his right thigh, but with no objective findings of paralysis, muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, or functional loss of the affected right lower extremity.

The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the claim. The veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service is presumed, but there is no evidence of actual exposure based on VA outpatient reports.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus with mild peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet is currently rated at 20 percent.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent since December 22, 2004.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent since December 22, 2004.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent since December 22, 2004.,Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent since December 22, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities is associated with frostbite sustained during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his neuropathy of the right lateral antebrachial nerve, assigning a 20 percent disability rating effective May 19, 1999. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for prostatitis was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot infection and scars of the upper lip and face were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an in-service injury or exposure. The Board found that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for both a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU should be June 11, 1994.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, multiple myeloma, porphyria cutanea tarda, cutaneous vascular disorder, and skin cancer, all potentially related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not include loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision, nor does he have ankylosis of the knees or hips.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's appeal for a specific evaluation of left lower extremity neuropathy has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the feet is at least as likely as not due to thermal burns incurred during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and diabetic retinopathy. The veteran did not have military service in Vietnam or exposure to herbicides.

The RO granted service connection for the residuals of traumatic optic neuropathy of the right eye and assigned a 10 percent rating effective August 1, 1995.,In November 2004, the RO reduced the veteran's bilateral residuals of traumatic optic neuropathy rating from 50 percent to 0 percent, effective February 1, 2005.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's right ulnar nerve neuropathy of the interossei muscles status post fractures, effective from November 26, 1997.

The veteran's July 1994 lumbar laminectomy resulted in additional permanent low back disability, including peripheral neuropathy. The Board finds that the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for nephrolithiasis, left kidney with history of right ureterolithiasis and service connection for vision loss and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also addressed whether there was new and material evidence to reopen a claim for bilateral hearing loss.