Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and neurological conditions are not related to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine whether the Veteran's neurological disorders are related to service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection was denied for hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence showing a direct or secondary relationship between the Veteran's current condition and military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to in-service exposure to loud noise. The claims for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy as they are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including asthma and various musculoskeletal issues. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain SSA records and translate Spanish documents.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities cannot be established as the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bladder condition and erectile dysfunction are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for GERD is pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine its relationship with service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no current disability on which to base a claim in this case.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated as 40 percent disabling from July 3, 2008 to February 7, 2017. The evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board found no current diagnosis of upper extremity neuropathy or neurological disability including dizziness and lightheadedness, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current PTSD is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury. The other issues related to knee disabilities and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent effective March 7, 2011.,The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent effective December 9, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current knee, lung, heart, and neuropathy disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, stroke residuals, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his military service. The conditions are therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event, injury, or disease that would support the claims.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active duty in Thailand. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and vision impairment are secondary to his service-connected diabetes.