Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to an educational assistance benefit level of 100 percent under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) due to his service-connected disabilities and the fact that he was discharged from service due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the filing of a timely notice of disagreement on several service connection claims and rating issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, upper and lower extremity neuropathy, and prostate disability are all granted due to in-service herbicide exposure. Diabetes is presumed due to herbicide exposure. Upper and lower extremity neuropathies are found to be secondary to the service-connected diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, vestibulopathy or balance problems, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and vascular headaches as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings did not meet the severity of his symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, correct notice regarding secondary service connection, and provide a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for migraines and a disability manifested by chronic physical flushing and changes in body temperature are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both his right and left lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new peripheral nerve examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his intent to withdraw from appellate review of the peripheral neuropathy claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes, bilateral foot neuropathy, bilateral hand neuropathy, a disorder characterized by pain in the bilateral toes, feet, and right leg (likely referring to a disorder characterized by pain in the bilateral toes, feet, and right leg), PAD, chronic diarrhea, and frequent urination, are not service-connected as they were not diagnosed during or within one year after active service, do not have a direct link to service, and there is no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection have also been denied.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent effective from August 8, 2012. The Board also granted service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and is not etiologically related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and referring the TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, but denied an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not shown to have been manifested by penile deformity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals seeking to reopen claims for service connection for indigestion, asthma, and gall bladder disease have been withdrawn. The July 1999 rating decision is final as it denied service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of legs, residuals of a left toe injury, indigestion, PTSD, vascular disease of the left leg, hypertension, and IBS due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his military service. The Veteran's appeals have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received for any of these claims.