Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, including peripheral neuropathy and multiple sclerosis, due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus was properly severed, and the criteria for restoration of service connection have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service connection for hypertension, COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is being remanded due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has withdrawn the claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic sinusitis and low back disability due to a request by the Veteran's representative. The Veteran is found to have irritable bowel syndrome, which was incurred in military service and is considered a qualifying chronic disability under Persian Gulf War criteria. Neurological symptoms in both upper and lower extremities are also considered as an undiagnosed illness related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome and median neuropathy at the wrist, is not related to his active duty service or a service-connected condition. The Board denied both direct service connection and secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer any new or additional disability associated with her cerebrovascular accident as a result of VA treatment due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or some other instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with its July 2014 remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy and radiculopathy in the lower extremities are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy with retinal detachments and pseudophakia is currently rated at 30 percent, which includes the ratings for visual acuity (20%) and visual field defect (10%). The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are each rated at 10%. These ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, IHD, and scars. The Board has jurisdiction to consider entitlement to a TDIU in this instance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and glaucoma, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hypertension. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left upper extremity neuropathy was not found. The Board denied increased ratings for left knee instability and arthritis, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and for a higher rating for his anxiety disorder. The Veteran was not found to have current diagnoses of these conditions, and there is no evidence linking them to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension prior to May 14, 2014 are denied. As of May 14, 2014, his claim for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension is also denied.