Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and for examinations by appropriate examiners regarding the nature and etiology of any hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy present at any point after the Veteran's August 2007 claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to render him unemployable.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have Parkinson's disease and there is no evidence of a service-connected disability related to his claimed condition. The most probative evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran has Parkinson's disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to ensure substantial compliance with a previous remand order.

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions, including a scar on the right buttock and thigh, right lateral cutaneous neuropathy, residuals of shell fragment wounds to both legs, and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right buttock. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, heart disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and loss of kidney are granted due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU, as of March 24, 2011, have been met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities. Effective July 11, 2012, the criteria for an increased initial rating of 30 percent for tension headaches have been met.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate follow-up on previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral knee, hip, back disabilities, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also granted for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's left leg disability, including deep vein thrombosis and post phlebitic syndrome, is not presumed service connected due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between the current peripheral neuropathy and service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral foot bunions, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and left finger and hand neuropathy were not service-connected.,There was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has acknowledged the Veteran's presumptive exposure to herbicides, such as Agent Orange, during his service near the DMZ in Korea. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of his scheduled VA examinations and hearing, which may have resulted in a lack of consideration of his claims. The case is being remanded to allow for rescheduling these missed appointments and readjudication.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his back disability, bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a service-connected peripheral neuropathy or skin disability, including as due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's complaints have not been supported by objective medical findings.