Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension, which may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The AOJ will consider all evidence received since the June 2009 statement of the case.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence or credible assertion linking the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees to his military service. The claim for service connection for DJD of the knees is therefore denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions allegedly related to cold injuries sustained during his military service in Korea. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining unit history and morning reports from relevant periods.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and heart murmur, all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The claims were not granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its related complications. The issues are primarily about service connection for these conditions due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are rated at 10 percent each, as they do not meet criteria for a higher rating. The hearing loss is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to herbicide exposure such as Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, both to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Court remanded these issues with instructions to provide a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and depression. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is conceded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, are being remanded due to additional relevant evidence received after certification of appeal to the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to assess his cognitive and speech impairments, as well as the impact of flare-ups on his optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary as VA medical records and opinions are insufficient.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a current disability of trench foot or any skin disability of the feet. His peripheral neuropathy and genitourinary disability are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gunshot wound of the right arm, with neuropathy of the ulnar and median nerve was granted. However, the appeal regarding his psychiatric disorders is unclear as to whether it should be considered or not.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for numbness of the lower extremities and, after considering all evidence of record, finds that the Veteran's current demyeliminating sensory motor peripheral neuropathy and superimposed peroneal axonal neuropathy is related to his military service. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities was evaluated at 30% and 20%, respectively, from July 6, 2005 to August 3, 2011. The evaluations were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during his active duty in the Panama Canal Zone. The Board finds that he did not serve in Vietnam or any other location where herbicide exposure can be presumed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.