Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no credible evidence of exposure to herbicides or participation in Project 112/SHAD. The Veteran's claims were also not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including type II diabetes mellitus and its complications, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides. The claimed conditions are not related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vascular disease and whether it is aggravated by any service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The evidence does not establish a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and grants service connection for this condition.,There is no probative evidence in support of a finding that the Veteran's hepatitis C is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is not yet determined in terms of its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, diagnosed in 1995 or 1996 prior to his diabetes mellitus onset, is considered secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for shin splints and denied service connection for neuropathy of the left leg and cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the left leg and foot to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine is dismissed because a related benefit was granted in September 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's disability of the hands and feet is being evaluated to determine its nature and etiology.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, vision disability, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) as not being related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy are service-connected, with tinnitus related to noise exposure in service and peripheral neuropathy presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's PTSD is also service-connected.

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of a mental or physical condition prior to attaining the age of 18, and thus denied DIC benefits as an adult helpless child.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with early-onset peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that a separate rating for neurologic manifestations associated with the right radial neuropathy due to RPG fragments in the right forearm is not assignable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the conditions are not presumed related to herbicide exposure. The Board found that direct service connection was not established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetic neuropathy is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II and grants the claim for service connection.