Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity and etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertensive retinopathy.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower bilateral extremities was not shown to be attributable to service or a service-connected condition, including as secondary to diabetes or PTSD. The Board denied service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient research and findings regarding exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is on hold until further development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities prior to May 12, 2016.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for residuals of an excision of a melanoma, right posterior arm, to include nerve damage, is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for sleep apnea. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the fingers. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain his service personnel records, relevant treatment records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of diabetes mellitus, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities that are related to his service or herbicide exposure. The heart condition is not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for various service connection claims, including those related to his throat disorder and diabetes mellitus, have been withdrawn. The claim for a throat disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating and also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a back disability or cervical radiculopathy (claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the hands) due to injury in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his impotence/erectile dysfunction are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Hearing loss has not been shown for VA purposes.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to determine if it was caused by his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His PTSD and peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship with his military service or exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing VA's failure to exercise reasonable care in providing treatment.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), peripheral neuropathy of the right shoulder, skin disability (eczema), fatty tumors, to include lipomas or soft tissue tumors, and vision or eye disability are all denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 25, 2004. Effective that date, he is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.