Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of its in-service onset or a link to active service.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for low back strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 with bilateral sciatic neuropathy was granted, with the rating assigned being 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, asthma, dizziness, and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his active duty service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous systems of the right lower extremity warranted a 40% rating. However, it was determined that none of his other claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service and are not related to his service-connected condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have diabetic neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremities, as a result of his service or as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to perform self-care functions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy are denied as he did not meet the prerequisite criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board found that polyneuropathy was not present in service or within one year of the veteran's discharge from service, and is not etiologically related to his exposure to herbicides or any other incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The Board also determined that his current hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is service-connected, and he is entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his diabetes mellitus. The evaluations for both right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also granted.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 with diabetic nephropathy and microalbuminuria is currently rated at 20 percent. Separate noncompensable evaluations are assigned for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction as a residual of diabetes.

The veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities are granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether extra-schedular considerations are warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and post-traumatic encephalopathy.

The veteran's service-connected porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The VA has also granted service connection for other skin conditions and peripheral neuropathy, all of which are considered presumptive based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and a circulatory disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or that they are related to service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, peripheral neuropathy, elbow disorder, and right hip disorder. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions and concluded that they were not related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a 20 percent evaluation for neuropathy with weakness of the left lower extremity. The evaluations are effective from December 14, 1994, and September 23, 2002 respectively.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his active service or any incident thereof, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Maria Parham Hospital from October 27, 2001 to November 1, 2001 are denied as he could have been safely transferred to a VA facility for treatment.