Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy, including whether it is related to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is neither caused nor aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination, including addressing secondary service connection claims for multiple conditions associated with diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of type II diabetes mellitus, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral diabetic neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange was granted by the RO on February 20, 2003 with an effective date of May 8, 2001. The veteran's original claim for service connection was received in June 19, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM). The case is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to acquired immune deficiency syndrome and peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification regarding his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the veteran's exposure to radiation and herbicide agents, as well as his service connection for ischemic optic neuropathy. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including the knees) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The only post-service medical records are from many years after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his claimed stressors have not been corroborated. The left knee disorder, liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current peripheral neuropathy is not causally linked to his in-service frostbite, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite, including peripheral neuropathy, cold sensitization, arthritis, circulatory problems, fungal infection, and chronic night pain; a low back disorder; a left knee disorder; a left hip disorder; and a left hand disorder. The claim for skin cancer was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for separate disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, finding that assigning such ratings would constitute pyramiding as he already has the highest possible schedular rating for his service-connected multiple myeloma.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disease, including chloracne, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's service records did not show any evidence of these conditions during his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury, rheumatoid and/or osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure and will now consider it on its merits.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's shell fragment residuals are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and patellofemoral syndromes were denied. The RO found that the symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to completion of its appellate review of the claims for initial disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities.