Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 30 percent since October 23, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathy due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and neuropathy of the upper extremities are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and potential new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, have been denied due to a lack of diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's eye disability is not a compensable disability. The Board has found no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in the upper or lower extremities, and further examination is needed to determine if such disabilities are related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral eye disability and concluding that the Veteran's current condition was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's hypertension had its onset during military service. The claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical records and for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board finds that none of the claimed disabilities are related to service, and thus service connection is denied for all issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction (ED), peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities were denied as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within a year of service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to be presumed exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Korea.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to verify the Veteran's National Guard service in July 1979 and to obtain pertinent private treatment records. The case will be remanded for further examination of his back, neck, and peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has determined that service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic ulcers, diabetic retinopathy, and renal disease cannot be granted as they are not related to service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is more likely due to hereditary hemochromatosis than to in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic GI disorder, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not presumed to have been incurred in service, and peripheral neuropathy was not incurred in service or proximately due to any service-connected disability. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was manifested by subjective complaints and objective findings, meeting the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of his claims. The TDIU claim will be addressed in light of the results from the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and related cerebrovascular accident residuals or acute monocytic leukemia.