Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances due to use of diabetic shoes and custom insoles/orthotics, as well as skin medications. The decision is based on the VHA Handbook 1173.15 which states that these items do not tend to wear or tear clothing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and prostate cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. Service connection is also granted for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary embolism and its associated residuals, as well as his claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The evidence does not support these claims.,Service connection was also denied for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for brain tumor and increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, GERD, and hypertension have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain with tarsal tunnel syndrome and sural neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service.

The Veteran's generalized sensory and motor polyneuropathy with axonal loss, as well as his neuralgia of the upper and lower extremities, is granted service connection. Service connection for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, all of which the Veteran claimed were due to in-service herbicide exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD). The ED case requires a VA medical opinion on whether it is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The CAD case requires an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cardiac arrhythmia and erectile dysfunction due to lack of a medical nexus opinion. The other issues remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his diabetes mellitus and associated peripheral neuropathy, as well as TDIU prior to February 12, 2013, are being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU as of February 28, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of her service-connected right ulnar nerve neuropathy and its impact on her ability to work.

The Veteran's capsaicin cream is not used for a service-connected skin condition, so he does not qualify for a clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not properly adjudicated without additional medical examination and opinion. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, finding that it is due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents (likely Agent Orange).

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides, and that the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and special monthly compensation. The Board has dismissed these matters as there are no remaining issues to consider.