Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for high cholesterol is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disease or disability under VA law.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is denied as there are no current symptoms that meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of secondary service connection.

The Board has found insufficient evidence of record to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and neuropathy. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that service connection cannot be granted.,Service connection for a skin disorder affecting the hands and feet is denied because there is no competent evidence linking it to service, including exposure to aviation fuel.,Peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet is also denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, chronic intractable headaches, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and solvents as there are insufficient records on file to make a determination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy in his upper and lower extremities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been reopened.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of bilateral peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to exposure to chemicals during service in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The issues of acid reflux, alopecia, diverticulitis, migraines, athlete’s foot of the right foot, athlete’s foot of the left foot, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's RLE and LLE peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 40 percent since May 11, 2015.,A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate or based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition claimed as ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange is denied. The claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, left and right upper extremities, are remanded.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Right Neck. The Board finds that there is no current disability for IHD and denies this claim.,Regarding Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Right Neck, the Veteran was diagnosed in 2009 but has not had any recurrence since treatment. The Board does not find evidence to support a connection between Agent Orange exposure and the cancer.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The effective dates for service connection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are being remanded as the Veteran contends they should be earlier than May 14, 2015.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was denied as not incurred or aggravated by service, with no presumption applied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, including asbestos exposure. Therefore, service connection for any of the claimed conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists, finding that there was no evidence showing current disability due to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy is denied as it was not caused by VA treatment or due to negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (claimed as an eye condition), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, left shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the unavailability of service treatment records and the need for further verification of in-service stressors related to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.,PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to potential complications related to diabetes.