Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board has determined that additional VA records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, specifically Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The case is being remanded for these records to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service or his service-connected TBI. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, hypertension, and nephropathy are related to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, or neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and denied his claims for service connection for amyloidosis and ischemic heart disease. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and arthritis with bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and are not related to any event or incident of his active service. The Veteran's current conditions were determined to be unrelated to his service-connected myofascial strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity, are found to be sufficient to preclude him from engaging in gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a new hearing and further development, as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been rated based on their current manifestations. The increased ratings for the disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and inguinal hernia, have rendered him unemployable as of November 7, 2013. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran is service connected for multiple disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and cold injury residuals. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, sleep apnea, and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The primary reasons were that there was no evidence of chronic hypertension during service or within one year post-service, and it is not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA peripheral nerve examination to assess the severity of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to herbicide exposure or otherwise to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for updated treatment records.