Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and events during military service.

The Board found that the nerve biopsies did not result in additional disability involving peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but did find that a right ankle area neuroma resulted from the 1991 nerve biopsy. The decision is mixed as it granted benefits for one issue and denied them for another.

The Board denied the veteran's request for waiver of recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $16, 680.90 due to a lack of awareness regarding his need to report incarceration and subsequent reduction in VA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer. The claim for sexual dysfunction (impotence) is remanded as it may be related to the veteran's service-connected prostate disability.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a hiatal hernia. The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and he has provided new evidence that supports reopening his claim for a hiatal hernia.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The veteran testified that he did not receive medical treatment for these conditions during his military service.,VA has reviewed all available evidence and determined that there is no basis to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cortical blindness as a result of a cerebrovascular accident and hypertension, effective from December 31, 2005.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and any related complications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the veteran's left leg/ankle disability and peripheral neuropathy. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, vision problems (claimed as pigment displacement syndrome), and seizure disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The current effective date remains unchanged as no earlier effective date claim was timely filed.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right legs were denied, but he was granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected coronary artery disease.,The veteran's peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to mild incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve in both legs. His coronary artery disease is currently rated at 10 percent based on no symptoms at rest or exercise.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be productive of an overall level of impairment that more nearly approximates that of the veteran being precluded from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with educational and work experience. Therefore, a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, and a tender scar in the thoracolumbar area. A temporary 100% rating was also granted from July 19, 2002 through September 30, 2002.

The veteran's initial disability rating for residuals of a right axillary lymph node biopsy is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The veteran's numbness of the oral distribution of the trigeminal nerve with dysesthesias of the right tongue is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates in several issues, including her service-connected scoliosis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy with muscle ataxia, tender scar in the thoracolumbar area, TDIU, DEA, and temporary total rating for surgical treatment. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The veteran's claimed cardiac disability, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are not found to be related to his active service or to a service-connected condition. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected frostbite or cold injury, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is moderately severe, requiring large insulin dosage and restricted diet. The disability requires regulation of occupational activities due to Charcot joint disease. The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for diabetes mellitus with impotence.