Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for hair loss was denied as there is no current disability manifested by hair loss.,Service connection for neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a sleep disorder, and increased rating for prostate cancer residuals due to new evidence and factual findings.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy were not related to his service, and the Board denied these claims. The claim for high cholesterol was also denied as it is not a disease or injury.,There is no evidence of record linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the whole body, were denied as there is no credible evidence supporting his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicides or captivity as a prisoner of war. The Veteran's statements are found to be unreliable due to inconsistencies with other evidence of record and facial implausibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sick sinus syndrome and for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the March 10, 2010 rating decision that granted TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. However, his rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 10% to 0%, effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve disorder of the feet, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new evidence has raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted, with some issues being denied. The Veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II, and an initial rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus type II prior to February 2, 2016, and an increased rating of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension was reopened due to new evidence, but service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities have been manifested by a moderate impairment of the affected nerve throughout the appeal, warranting separate 20 percent ratings for each leg.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and right hand are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his eye disability and urinary disability.

The Board found no evidence of exposure to radiation, tactical herbicides, environmental hazards, mustard gas, or lewisite during service. The Veteran's current eye and skin disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of his disability ratings was found to be improper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy, hydrocephalus, and posttraumatic vertigo due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claims for service connection.,Similarly, the Board determined there is no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders to his time in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his examinations were cancelled due to non-reporting, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not found to be related to service or secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.