Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for pyorrhea of the gums, schizophrenia, glaucoma, left eye blindness, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and amputation, middle finger, left hand. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is related to his service, specifically Agent Orange exposure during his time in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected diabetic neuropathy in both upper extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and automobile/adaptive equipment were denied as his service-connected right lower extremity disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or eligibility for adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected low back disability and peripheral neuropathy, as well as a claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions, and to submit the evidence to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for examination and development of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service if deemed necessary.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 29, 2006 is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, were found to be of such a nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 11, 2013. The Board denied the claim for TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of residuals of a right fibula fracture and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, to include digital neuritis of the right foot.

The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, effective June 17, 2010, as this was the earliest date of diagnosis and secondary to a pre-existing condition (diabetes mellitus type II).

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not diagnosed until many years after service separation and any exposure to herbicides, thus the presumptive service connection regulations pertaining to Agent Orange exposure do not apply. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence demonstrates that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for sebaceous cysts, peripheral neuropathy, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia (B-12 deficiency), and kidney disability. The claims were reopened on new evidence but the service connection was not granted.

The Veteran's skin cancer and foot disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about possible in-service radiation exposure. The claims will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, retinopathy, and atypical chest pain due to posttraumatic stress disorder have all been granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of polyneuropathy.