Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran was present on the landmass of Vietnam during his service, which supports a finding of presumptive service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and bilateral foot diabetic neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for thrombocytopenia and polyneuropathy, finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions. The Veteran's polyneuropathy was not found to be due to herbicide exposure as it did not manifest within one year after his last exposure to herbicides. Service connection on a secondary basis for polyneuropathy was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for cold weather residuals. After considering all of the evidence, including private medical opinions linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his in-service frostbite, the Board finds that there is at least equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cold weather residuals are related to his period of active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and bilateral neuropathy of the lower extremities may not be presumed to have been so incurred due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, as evidenced by his military occupational specialty and the onset of symptoms shortly after service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for right ankle strain is denied because there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for left knee strain is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is denied as the Veteran's current condition does not appear related to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted because it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on its relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to active service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a DRO hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 70%, fracture of the left elbow rated at 10%, and degenerative arthritis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine rated at 10%, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's hypertension, LBBB, disability of both arms and hands, and disability of both hips and feet are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset of peripheral neuropathy and hypertension, as well as determining whether the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the Veteran's heart condition and lower extremity disability, including peripheral neuropathy and myopathy, were not caused by or aggravated by VA treatment. The VA found no evidence of substandard care from VA providers.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and residuals of cold injury of the bilateral feet have been granted ratings in excess of 40 percent, with a combined rating of 100 percent. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU or SMC at this time.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were granted service connection effective August 29, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Guillain-Barre syndrome and Type II diabetes mellitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied these claims. The Board also found no evidence of a current disability for other conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current peripheral nerve disorder, including peripheral neuropathy, and concluded that the Veteran's claimed condition is not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, including consideration of exposure to jet fuel and herbicides. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of new evidence from VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and dermatitis, are so severe that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.