Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals and peripheral neuropathy, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral eye disability, renal dysfunction, urinary incontinence, heart disability, fecal incontinence, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims have been denied.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is at least in equipoise with the opinion that it is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and associated peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The case must be remanded to obtain clarification on whether he has a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, type II, and to determine if his peripheral neuropathy is related to his military service or another condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of multiple theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes and associated neuropathy of the upper extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a maximum rating of 30 percent for diabetic neuropathy of the right (major) upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to his death. The Board finds that the nonservice-connected conditions (COPD and colostomy) were more significant in preventing employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, effective May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that his current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral upper and lower extremity sensorimotor polyneuropathy is related to his acknowledged in-service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted the Veteran a 70% rating for PTSD as of June 19, 2009.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, chronic headaches, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left hip disorder, and left hip scar have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, claiming these conditions are related to his military service in Vietnam where Agent Orange was used. The claims will be remanded to obtain relevant treatment records from the period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease of both upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence of this condition during or after service. The claim for an increased rating for peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of increased ratings for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, as well as service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.