Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and TDIU due to the RO's determination that his service-connected PTSD symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been denied. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral knee disorders have been granted a 100% evaluation effective August 27, 2015.,The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder osteopenia, left and right hip osteopenia with synovitis, right knee osteopenia/strain based on instability, and left knee osteopenia/strain based on instability have been granted a 20% evaluation effective September 10, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, colon cancer, stroke, and depression due to the Veteran's exposure in Vietnam. The conditions are related to his service-connected condition of diabetes.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right lower extremity neuropathy were not incurred or aggravated in active service.,There is no evidence of a chronic disease manifested during service, nor any showing of continuity of symptomatology after separation.

Your claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, which were previously denied due to herbicide exposure, have been granted. You are now receiving a 20% disability rating for each affected limb as of May 18, 2014.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, Parkinson's disease, diabetic neuropathy of various extremities, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy. The claim is granted as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip disorder, acute gastritis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, testicle varicocele and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been withdrawn. When resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran, he has been diagnosed with PTSD with depression due to combat stressors incurred during service in Iraq.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating has been evaluated at 70 percent since February 1989. The Board found that the RO correctly applied the bilateral factor and did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities cannot be granted as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service.