Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied as there is no credible evidence that he was exposed to herbicides during service or that his conditions are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds that these conditions render him unemployable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and neuropathy. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of his hands is not related to service or secondary to his diabetes mellitus. The cervical spine disability was not shown to be directly related to service, and there was no evidence of arthritis in the neck. As a result, both claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches as secondary to hepatitis C have been denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to his death, and thus denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a VA opinion regarding the relationship between his neurological disability and service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disability, and lumbar spine disability are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional private medical records. The issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy are in dispute.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Thailand and the claimed disabilities are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional information and authorization to obtain relevant medical records, including from Dr. Bremer.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,Both his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy, and denied secondary service connection as they are not related to his service-connected fibromyositis of the lumbar paravertebral muscles.

The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected as it did not originate in service or until years after service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service; nor was hypertension caused or chronically worsened by service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Throughout the appeals period, the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy in his left and right legs has been characterized by no more than mild incomplete paralysis with mild pain and numbness and some loss of hair and thinning skin.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity. Service connection for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left, upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, skin disability, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of both feet are found to be service-connected. The TDIU claim is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including multiple myeloma and its related disabilities. The Veteran's claims were denied.