Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM II, vision loss, sleep apnea, ED, ingrown toenails, third degree burns, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The reasons given include a lack of in-service occurrence or injury related to these conditions, as well as insufficient evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, loss of smell and taste, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service or any other basis for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's neck condition, back condition, left leg pain, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and vertigo with ear pain are all remanded for further development.,The Board is seeking additional medical opinions to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to the need for new examinations as his disabilities had worsened since the last VA examination in 2013. The Board found that a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination is necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim prior to July 19, 2012 is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral vestibular disease. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are also being evaluated further.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment in a sedentary capacity. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and denied service connection for tuberculosis, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The decision on hearing loss is based on conceded in-service noise exposure and positive VA nexus opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (including congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals because he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, hypertension (HTN), and erectile dysfunction (ED) are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or caused by his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to his extensive history of smoking.,The Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam, but there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to such exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy and diabetes mellitus, but these claims are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective March 11, 2013 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral eye disability, diabetes mellitus, Type II, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. Additional VA treatment records from 1993 to 2000 are needed, as well as VA examinations for the knees and mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to Agent Orange. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 100% rating from December 15, 2016. His diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic neuropathy were each granted a 40% rating effective March 21, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and thus denying presumptive service connection. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.