Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and active service. The RO denied his claim for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent.,The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities were reopened based on new evidence received since the last denial in February 2007.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left hand neuropathy, including whether it is related to service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, as well as service connection for a lung disability, left foot disability, upper respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and pes planus. The claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and a TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA records.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin disorder did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service, including in-service exposure to herbicides. The claims for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and fingers are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right leg gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review and examination to determine his eligibility for a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities, including the recently granted coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service connected, but there is no evidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the upper extremities. The skin disability claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected due to credible reports of combat exposure. Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the appropriate disability ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and high blood pressure are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. However, the issue of nonspecific dermatitis is being granted based on finding CUE in the March 2005 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are currently rated at 20 percent for each condition, with no higher ratings granted. The Board finds that these current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent since October 29, 2011. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his employment history.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.