Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2013

The Board has granted a disability rating of 40 percent for service-connected diabetes mellitus, effective from June 17, 2013. The Veteran's DM now requires insulin, a restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating to 40 percent is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating to 30 percent is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected polyneuropathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating to 40 percent is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected polyneuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating to 40 percent is granted.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet, ankles, hands, and wrists is found to be related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to potential inextricably intertwined issues with the issue on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neuropathy and weakness of upper and lower extremities are not related to his service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of spinal meningitis is being returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and a sleep disorder due to herbicide exposure. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran served in Vietnam or had duty or visitation there.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 11, 2012. The evidence does not show that a higher rating is warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities, and readjudicating his claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to his bilateral hands. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current hand disabilities, including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent. The ratings for his peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities are all denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot neuropathy is not related to his in-service cold weather injury, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and disorders of the buttocks and groin are denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-country service or documented exposure to herbicides, and thus could not establish service connection for any of his claimed disabilities on a presumptive basis. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. His bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service, but hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors, and the conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.