Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA evaluation by a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current bilateral peripheral neuropathy is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus (DMII). Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is likely due to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service, specifically Agent Orange. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial increased rating to 50 percent, effective October 1, 2015. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish exposure to Agent Orange or any other herbicide during his service. As a result, the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted since then, warranting service connection. The claim for secondary service connection of peripheral neuropathy to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction have been denied as they are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service. The Veteran has not provided any credible evidence that he was exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and sleep disturbance, as well as his requests for earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical examinations and further review of the evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on all issues were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service, including exposure to herbicides and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking the current condition to a service-connected disability.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy in his left upper extremity. The VA examiner noted 'N/A (no specific diagnosis provided).'

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his diabetes mellitus and related complications, as well as for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 31, 2015, and increased to 70 percent thereafter. Peripheral neuropathy of the extremities were all rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy and his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability. The appeals are currently pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.