Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hand disorder have all been denied. Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus with initial ratings of 20%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA and private treatment records, as well as obtaining a VA examination by a cardiologist to determine the nature and etiology of any heart disease and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and remanded it for further development. The earlier effective date issue is also being remanded as part of this case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left and right foot neuropathies are not related to her active service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy. However, the claims are denied as there is no competent evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and obstructive sleep apnea, both found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The specific conditions and issues are related to his right upper extremity and shoulder, but the service connection theory remains 'direct'. There is no information provided about exposure basis or other specifics.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and foot neuropathy, other than his already service-connected tarsal tunnel syndrome, is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands as a result of herbicide exposure. The case has been remanded to conduct further development including verifying herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. For the initial rating period from October 27, 2006 to April 27, 2011, the service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. The Board finds the Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam and grants service connection for his diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with some conditions receiving a presumption of herbicide exposure and others being granted based on the evidence presented.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication, including consideration of regulatory changes to 38 C.F.R. § 3.309.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left lower extremity neuropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and establishes a causal nexus between current symptoms and those stressors.