Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, depression (also claimed as anxiety and sleeplessness), hypertension, headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, and tachycardia are all due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral neuropathy of the feet and remanded it for further development, including obtaining VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions alone do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right foot claw toe deformity and neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has directed further development due to VCAA notice deficiencies and the need for medical opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The case is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 10 percent, and his left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent since September 13, 2007. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and residuals of frostbite to the bilateral feet are not related to his military service, including as secondary to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral upper and lower extremity impairment due to Parkinson's disease, and facial nerve impairment have been granted. The initial ratings assigned are 40 percent for right upper extremity impairment and 30 percent for left upper extremity impairment, all due to Parkinson's disease. Effective dates prior to December 4, 2007, have also been established.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral edema of the bilateral lower extremities has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cerebrovascular accident has resulted in cognitive impairment, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent.

The Board has restored the previously reduced disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no actual improvement in these conditions at the time of reduction.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied in May 2009. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The Veteran does not have left upper peripheral neuropathy, to include carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his exposure to herbicides. The peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be caused by the diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.

The RO denied service connection for the listed conditions, including those allegedly related to participation in Project SHAD. The Veteran's claims have been previously denied and are now final.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, which represents moderate incomplete paralysis. The evidence does not support a higher rating.