Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left eye disorder, claimed as nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected coronary artery disease, which is a herbicide-presumptive condition.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is granted effective October 1, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further research into his exposure to herbicides during service and a VA examination to determine if he has confirmed diagnoses of the claimed disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's Type II diabetes mellitus with associated peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not incurred in service, specifically due to exposure to DDT while serving on Okinawa. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral lower extremity and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. This includes obtaining private treatment records from Dr. R.K.S., scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy, are preventing him from securing or maintaining employment. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of both the right and left upper extremities, which is characterized as mild incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic neuropathy, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension service connection was dismissed due to withdrawal. The Veteran is granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted equipment as he has loss of use of his feet due to service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus and its secondary effects on other conditions, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neuropathy is related to cold weather exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, low back disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, bladder disability, prostate disorder (benign prostatic hypertrophy), and bilateral arm disability are not related to his military service. However, he was exposed to asbestos during service, which is presumed to be a contributing factor in causing his current respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a causal link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disability and any in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right median nerve and residuals of shell fragment wounds to his right arm and thigh are all rated at their current levels, with no changes in ratings. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ulnar mononeuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The event (the April 2008 surgery) was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the increased rating claims for his left eye conditions, including traumatic chronic iridoplegia with mydriasis and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and recurrent left eye pterygium.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder, right groin staples, or right leg neuropathy. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnoses related to these conditions during or after service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new medical evidence and scheduling a VA neurology examination.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.,The claims for mesothelioma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neuropathy of both lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability are being REMANDED for further development.