Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, but the Veteran's appeal is not resolved as he has not expressed satisfaction with these decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities, including ulnar neuropathy, arthritis, and epicondylitis, are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right arm associated with her cervical spine disorder was granted, effective January 8, 2008.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is as likely as not due to herbicide exposure in service, while his lung disability is less likely related to service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has restored service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to a finding that the severance was improper.

The most probative evidence of record does not reflect that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling conflicts for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and a TDIU rating of 60% has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities is not caused by or related to his active duty service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as there was no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of the evidence showed that these conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding potential exposure to nerve agents and other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, claimed as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board denied presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus and all secondary conditions, finding that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus was not presumed to be exposed to Agent Orange. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims have been granted, with a rating of 30 percent for his left forearm muscle injury and an initial compensable rating for his left forearm scarring. The upper left ulnar nerve neuropathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension but denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for further development and review, including verification of exposure to chemicals in service that may be related to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease s/p stent placement, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.