Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or any specific exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the evidence submitted since the May 2012 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing assistance in reopening a previously denied claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for depression and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Board has remanded these issues due to their inextricability with each other.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for B-cell lymphoma and peripheral neuropathy of the feet, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service. The appeal is not about exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 60 percent, effective June 20, 2005. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and Hepatitis C, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence. Service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU.

Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to March 6, 2013 is denied. A rating of 40 percent is granted from that date onwards.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a DRO hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding his PTSD rating.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with cognitive and delusional disorder may have caused or aggravated his diagnosed headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is secondary to his service-connected diabetes. The claim for increased ratings and TDIU are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete prior directives and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence linking the current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his/her authorized representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial increased disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities prior to December 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.