Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, nor did it support service connection for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during service due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted the claim for service connection and reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a right elbow disability, were denied. The Board found no medical evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and increased ratings for right femur fracture, right knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD and depressive disorder, is found to be related to in-service stressors. The lung disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service exposure. Service connection for the remaining conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an MRI report and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, type I and any associated complications.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus could not establish service connection for diabetes mellitus or peripheral neuropathy on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II with bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy associated with herbicide exposure is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The claim for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding no new and material evidence to support the Veteran's claim. The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right elbow disability, which may have had its onset during military service. The Veteran has been diagnosed with bursitis and neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression with anxiety, ischemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, right leg peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied. The Veteran's tinea versicolor has been granted a 10% rating, and his left leg peripheral neuropathy remains at the 10% level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and opinions regarding his hypertension, breathing disorder, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, except for hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for TDIU have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and organic disease of the nervous system may not be presumed to have been incurred therein due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including VA examination reports.