Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made on the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from December 25, 2008 to July 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, gastroparesis, and syncope are also connected to his now service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, as there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral cataracts, hypertension, psoriasis, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, and hearing loss. The appeals are related to secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neuropathy, a 10 percent disability rating based on multiple non-compensable disabilities, and an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II, effective March 1, 2010. The Veteran's condition required more than one daily insulin injection and regulation of activities to control his blood sugar levels.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The claims seeking a TDIU, SMC at the housebound rate, and DEA benefits prior to July 16, 2012 are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for peripheral neuropathy, to include as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his former employers.

The Board has denied service connection for myeloma, neuropathy, and monoclonal gammopathy. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's condition and its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbance, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy and the TDIU claim due to a lack of recent medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the effective dates not being earlier than December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to September 20, 2017. After a recharacterization of the condition and an adjustment in rating criteria, it is now rated at 10 percent for this period.

The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion on the onset and etiology of the appellant's peripheral neuropathy due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.