Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy secondary to a left thoracotomy.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a finger injury, essential hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy (claimed as due to herbicide exposure). The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence showing no in-service injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the left arm and assigned a 20% rating, effective November 29, 1956. The effective date was determined based on receipt of the original claim.

The Board found that the veteran's peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy were not present during or within one year of service, and there is no medical evidence linking either condition to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's service-connected low back disability has caused or aggravated these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic ulnar neuropathy and residual scar are considered, but further development is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to herbicide agents and a 10% evaluation for traumatic amputation of the left fifth finger effective December 31, 2002. The earlier effective date claim is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The veteran was granted a 20% disability rating for residuals of right foot frostbite with neuropathy.,Service connection for residuals of frostbite to hands, varicose veins, lumbosacral strain, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, fatigue and lack of sleep, post-operative residuals of left knee torn meniscus, depression, and hypertension were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding that his condition was not related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The veteran's initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus was denied, but a higher rating of 40 percent effective February 13, 2004, was granted.,The veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to his diabetes mellitus was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records and VA medical center records. The RO must also schedule examinations to determine the current level of disability due to diabetes mellitus, post-surgical scar, eye disability, and asthma.

The veteran's claims of increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II and individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The veteran is seeking service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange in service. The case must be remanded for further development and review.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than November 18, 1999 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The skin disability claim is pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including verification of exposure to toxic agents during service and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of axonal peripheral polyneuropathy, which was granted on August 28, 1996. The case has been remanded to the RO due to procedural deficiencies.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and a skin disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen his previously denied claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection for residuals of cold injury to the ears, and secondary service connection for a right hip disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between his in-service experiences and any present conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice.