Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, it remains denied as there is no direct or presumptive link between his vascular spasms and peripheral neuropathy and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for adjudication of additional service connection issues and readjudication of the total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need an addendum opinion from a medical examiner regarding his use of prescription steroid medication during active duty and its impact on his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, eye condition (retinal neuropathy), bilateral diabetic neuropathies, and a breathing condition. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus presumptive service connection could not be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. An aid and attendance examination will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied as they are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the claims to reopen entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left hands.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus Type II, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims on appeal have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is associated with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and diabetic amyotrophy of the left lower extremity.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for weight gain, swelling of the hands and feet, hair loss, shortness of breath, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have all been denied. The Board finds that these conditions are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for secondary service connection to TTP or anemia.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities was rated at 10 percent prior to February 7, 2012. The Board found no evidence supporting a higher rating based on symptoms described as mild or moderate. Ratings in excess of 10 percent were granted from February 7, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent, and his PTSD prior to June 16, 2016, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's brain tumor, neuropathy of the hands and feet, and left leg numbness are not related to her active service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's headaches were found to be unrelated to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity nerve disorders have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 14, 2014 or since that date. The VA examinations conducted found mild to moderate symptoms consistent with the current level of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left wrist tendonitis and 20 percent for residuals of left elbow fracture with posttraumatic ulnar neuropathy have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hand arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and an eye disability has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection cannot be granted on a secondary basis due to the absence of a service-connected condition. The Veteran's claims are also not supported by evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.