Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.,There is no current diagnosis or evidence of a current disability for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, finding no new and material evidence that would support a grant of service connection.

All claims seeking to reopen previously denied service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) is denied as it is not attributable to service or service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and no higher, as he does not require insulin or restriction of activities.,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was granted effective March 31, 2014. The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities due to a request for a DRO hearing. The issues are being returned to schedule the Veteran for such a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining claims following the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral foot peripheral neuropathy is not related to his active service, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and will be reconsidered after further development is completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for these conditions, which are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining claims of service connection for multiple joint arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and organic impotence are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected disability. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Hepatitis C and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure and a medical opinion on whether PTSD caused or aggravated the gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, including residuals of a right eye injury, neck disability, back disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are related as they all involve service connection claims.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date of November 18, 2011 for service connection of coronary heart disease and his claim for a combined rating in excess of 60 percent were denied. The decision also noted that he had previously been granted separate ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new allegations of herbicide exposure in Thailand, and requests further development of the Veteran's service records and any relevant reports.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Ischemic heart disease, hypertension, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete records. The Board will attempt to obtain his military personnel and treatment records to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bronchial asthma, a full body rash, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's exposure is presumed due to his service in the Air Force or Air Force Reserve under circumstances involving contact with C-123 aircraft used to spray herbicide agents during Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, left lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, right lower extremity), and peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve, left lower extremity) are all denied. The Board has remanded the claims for these conditions.