Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, low back disability, right shoulder and arm disabilities, neck disability with left arm pain, and GERD. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and numbness of the left ring and little fingers are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent for lumbar strain with spondylosis effective March 31, 2010. The other issues remained unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as PTSD, all secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremities, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies, but granted noncompensable initial ratings for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective November 8, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and therefore, the appellant is denied service-connected burial benefits. The issue of DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 and its associated peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease. The Veteran's conditions are not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and lower extremity disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy, were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability and neurological disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during his military service. His claims for increased ratings for fatigue and fever and chills are denied as he failed to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a DRO hearing. The issues of service connection for headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in conjunction with his education/training and work experience, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination.