Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for special adapted housing and equipment, which has been granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for chronic conjunctivitis and bilateral peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for a dental condition was also denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities, finding that they are not secondary to his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as his residuals of hematoma, left thigh, with limitation of left knee flexion, have not met the criteria for increased evaluations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as they are not shown to have originated during active military service or within one year thereafter. The exposure is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's widow has been granted service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, due to herbicide exposure during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the nature of his incarceration and to determine if he was incarcerated due to a felony conviction, which would affect the overpayment calculation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in service and was not related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Board also determined that his ulnar neuropathy of the left arm was not incurred in service. As a result, both claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of sufficient severity to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the claim for a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the likely cause of his erectile dysfunction, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions, complete the necessary development of his claims, and provide him with a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II, as it is presumed due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as he has reported an increase in symptoms since 2009.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for ulnar neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, defective vision, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to herbicide exposure. The conditions were not found to be related to active duty service or presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, a bilateral knee disability, and a bilateral eye disability. The decision also addressed his claim for TDIU but did not specify its outcome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, as well as to issue a Statement of the Case regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, thus dismissing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his erectile dysfunction and any lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.