Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran served in Vietnam, presumptively exposed to Agent Orange. His peripheral neuropathy is related to his herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, glomus tumors and other skin lesions, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or hypertension during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.,There were isolated high blood pressure readings during service, but no chronic condition was established. The medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a link between hypertension and service.

The Veteran's vision impairment and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are not service-connected as her conditions are attributed to diabetes mellitus, which is not related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome, polyneuropathy, and residuals of viral gastroenteritis (including epilepsy), finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which was granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the referral of other claims and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, as there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions and the Veteran does not have confirmed exposure to Agent Orange or other tactical herbicide agents within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a recent decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) in Tagupa v. McDonald, requiring verification of service from the United States Department of the Army.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral leg disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral feet, other than peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, CLL, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been reopened.,Secondary service connection is granted as these conditions are complications of his now service-connected type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chloracne, and Dupuytren's contracture have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since November 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for restless leg syndrome has been resolved as the September 2011 rating decision granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, which includes restless leg syndrome. The effective date is November 2009.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities due to his withdrawal of these claims.

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

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and is granting the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his upper and lower extremities. The appeal as to sleep apnea is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship with hypertension, kidney disease, or newly service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities, including as due to toxic herbicide exposure and a service-connected disability, has been denied.