Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and granted it. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities was denied as there is no current evidence of such condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence related to Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam service may be associated with the current skin rash.,Service connection for sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and low back disability were denied as there is no medical evidence of these conditions at any time since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of his service connection claims. His TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to determine his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, caused his current peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted from March 13, 2012, as his combined disability rating was at least 80% and he met the schedular requirements. The issue is moot after May 16, 2013.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not related to his presumed herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for shrapnel wounds to the right buttock and leg, but denied service connection for a neck disability and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was withdrawn by him.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is due to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and therefore service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that it is related to a cold injury sustained during service. The claim was previously denied in March 2007 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no evidence of such conditions within one year after the Veteran's last presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, residuals of a stroke, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and a right hernia have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome), or peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and his other service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Boston. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for sciatic neuropathy and radiculopathy are pending.