Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy, were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals were not about service connection at all, but rather focused on evaluations of existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional service records and verify his claimed periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Board will then consider the remaining issues for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy were denied. The criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cardiovascular disability, and diabetic retinopathy, all presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including impetigo of the hands, tinea cruris, low blood pressure condition, head injury with dizziness and nausea, vertigo associated with low blood pressure condition, right leg condition with cramping, left leg condition with cramping, peripheral neuropathy in upper extremities, and a right foot condition. The claims are dismissed as withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria, a respiratory disorder, a cervical spine disorder, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, right and left eye disorders, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain, bilateral knee disorders, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of neuropathy or tremors related to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his PTSD and anxiety.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and CAD due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding herbicide exposure have not been supported by relevant records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after addressing the pending increased ratings claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cold injury residuals and knee osteoarthritis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints of both feet, but not for his hands or wrists.,Service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel surgery under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as evidenced by his lack of diagnosed conditions such as bone spurs, facial numbness, short-term memory loss, and speech problems. The remaining issues (degenerative disc disease of the low back, bilateral eye spasms, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, headaches, and sleep apnea) do not have a link to service based on the lack of medical evidence showing such a connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of scheduled hearing. The Veteran is requested to attend a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, including as due to in-service cold exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the addition of a secondary service connection claim for polyneuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus type II with impotency, preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed, except for schizophrenia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left fifth cranial nerve traumatic neuropathy, recurrent headaches, and right ankle fracture residuals. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU prior to March 6, 2006.