Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was originally filed in July 1993, and the RO granted this claim effective from December 7, 2011. The Board finds that an earlier effective date of July 13, 1993 is warranted due to the receipt of relevant service department records after a prior final denial.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is found to be etiologically related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the feet, and hypertension (HTN) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's polyneuropathy was not shown within a year of separation from service, and the evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology. The medical opinion found no link to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of neuropathy or radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and therefore, service connection for this disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracic outlet syndrome, brachial plexus neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the obtaining of private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at a higher rate based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type II diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorder, neurological disorder, kidney disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and eye or vision disorder have been granted due to herbicide exposure during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference Board hearing. The primary issue on appeal remains the entitlement to a bilateral foot disorder, including peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and inextricably intertwined issues of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents and insufficient evidence linking any claimed conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM) did not cause or aggravate his bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.,The Veteran's mild nuclear sclerotic cataracts are not related to his DM.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his peripheral neuropathy does not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or other toxins during service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not linked to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since the effective date of service connection, and his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent.,Both the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atypical Parkinsonism with signs and symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. As such, service connection for PSP due to Agent Orange exposure is granted.