Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claimed conditions of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including articulation disorder (hip), fatigue and low energy, hyperlipidemia, IBS, or diverticulitis. Therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting any necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities has not been shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation from August 4, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the feet is denied as there are no documented cold injury residuals. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, secondary to type II diabetes mellitus, will be remanded for further examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral TKA with history of chondromatosis is found to have caused secondary disabilities in his left leg, shoulders, and cervical spine. The left knee has been rated at 30 percent since June 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of cold injuries, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy related to service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's brief presence in Vietnam during service is presumed to have exposed him to herbicides, including Agent Orange. Therefore, he is granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as well as diabetic peripheral neuropathy on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy in his upper extremities. The VA examiner found no evidence of diabetic neuropathy and noted that the numbness was not related to diabetes. Service connection is denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to service.

The Veteran's lung cancer, Type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and chronic kidney disease with renal failure are all presumed to be due to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for peripheral neuropathy, claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right median nerve neuropathy was manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is presumed to have been incurred in wartime service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol, residuals of a stroke, and neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as secondary to diabetes and/or lumbosacral spine disability.,Peripheral neuropathy of both legs was presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.