Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to outstanding service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right knee conditions and mental health issues, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 23, 2016. Effective from that date, she is granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 due to herbicide exposure and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure in service or a nexus between the conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, myositis, and subdural hematoma were not service connected as they did not manifest during or immediately after service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's sclerosing cholangitis and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to exposure to herbicide agents.,The cause of death was unrelated to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cold injury to his hands during service, which resulted in mild peripheral neuropathy of the distal fingers, is a current disability and was incurred during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there was no in-service event, injury or disease and no medical nexus between active service and the current disability. The Veteran's lay statements regarding herbicide exposure are not credible.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,New evidence has been submitted that relates fibromyalgia and bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy to service. The claims are reopened but not yet granted.

The Board found that the Veteran committed fraud by submitting a fraudulent DD Form 215, which resulted in improper service connection for her diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. As a result, the RO severed these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and otitis media. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and residuals of a broken jaw are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is rated at 40 percent from March 16, 2018. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are granted service connection. His hearing loss is denied a compensable rating prior to August 8, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of panic disorder, right elbow disability, and sleep disorder. The claims for cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and fibromyalgia were denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease was granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to June 30, 2017 and a 60 percent rating from that date. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating effective June 29, 2017.,Entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to June 29, 2017 was also granted.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right lower extremity disability, including peripheral neuropathy, is related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure to provide adequate notice of relevant private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's presumed Agent Orange exposure in service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing possible early onset of the condition.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.