Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides and his assertions of setting foot in Vietnam. He is also required to undergo a VA examination for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including peripheral neuropathy and onychomycosis, is not related to service and did not manifest during any applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examination findings to determine if the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or if his neuropathy of the lower extremities are more than just sensory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for bilateral foot neuropathy and hypertension based on direct evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected left optic neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is granted as her motorized wheelchair causes wear and tear on her clothing, which meets the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.810.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have lower extremity peripheral neuropathy within three decades after separation from service and that the evidence does not support a finding of nexus between his current condition and active service, including Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, and TDIU is granted effective September 26, 2013. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand peripheral neuropathy has been characterized by pain, numbness, weakness, and mild to moderate incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD are denied. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain information about the Veteran's employment history, clarify his PTSD symptoms and severity, update his right foot callouses rating, and provide opinions regarding the etiology of his diabetes, heart disorder, lower extremity disorders, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral lower extremity polyneuropathy, but reopened the claim for service connection for a heart disability. No compensable rating was assigned for any condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of exposure to Agent Orange in the Korean DMZ, and therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities cannot be granted.