Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2011.

The Veteran's initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities have been granted at a 30 percent rating effective July 15, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure, and for tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have the required qualifying service for VA pension benefits and his 1151 claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is currently rated at 20% each, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis of the peroneal nerves. The Board finds that higher schedular ratings are not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for additional development and adjudicative action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, and glaucoma were denied as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during service. The Board also found that the current conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are all related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to active service, and his diabetes mellitus does not require regulation of activities. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current tinnitus.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus has been rated at 20 percent since August 1, 2009. However, there is no medical evidence showing that he requires insulin or regulation of activities to manage his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and upper extremities, as well as an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, were denied. The appellant did not receive new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, as there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.,Regarding peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, the appeal is pending and will be addressed further.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and therefore, he cannot establish service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The claim for residuals of combat wounds (claimed as metal fragments) is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The peripheral neuropathy and PTSD claims resulted in a 50% rating, while the diabetes mellitus and tinea cruris claims remained at their initial assigned evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus with bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides and insufficient credible evidence linking his current condition to military service.