Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected Intervertebral Disc Syndrome involving nerve root level L5-S1. The issues of entitlements to a rating in excess of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective February 5, 2016; compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective December 10, 2010; propriety of reduction from 60 percent to 40 percent for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome involving nerve root level L5-S1, effective September 1, 2016; and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for service-connected disabilities are REMANDED.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except those related to his right elbow. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee OSD and arthritis, DM (diabetes mellitus), sleep apnea, high blood pressure/HTN, left hand contusion residuals, frostbite of the right foot, frostbite of the left foot, neuropathy of the feet, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The decision also noted that some conditions may be related to pre-existing conditions or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder, as they are related to herbicide agent exposure. The RO is instructed to verify the Veteran’s alleged exposure to herbicides in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, or at Fort Sherman, Panama.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension, as well as the issues of peripheral neuropathy and chest growths or masses, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and PVD with femorotibial bypass of the left lower extremity due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be provided new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. However, these claims are still being remanded as new evidence requires further examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Board has referred these issues back to the AOJ due to procedural issues with his initial claim forms. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including glaucoma, sleep apnea, hypertension, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic retinopathy, are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish herbicide exposure or any other link between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied VA payment for a powered mobility device, to include a motorized wheelchair, as the Veteran's medical records showed he could achieve adequate functional mobility without such devices through standard medical or rehabilitative treatments.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle fracture residuals, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His total disability rating is currently at 80 percent.

The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ulnar neuropathy has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and severity of the disability. The Veteran's service-connected multiple arthralgias with history of leukopenia and possible ankylosing spondylitis also need evaluation due to potential impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, lower extremities due to incomplete records from VA treatment in Houston, Texas.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has diabetes mellitus (DM) or arthritis of hands and feet, as well as any current neurological impairment of the hands and feet. The claims are also being remanded for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection cannot be granted on a direct basis because there is no evidence showing that any signs or symptoms of hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities manifested during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, tension headaches, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, vascular dementia, and peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these combined disabilities.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection, including for DJD of various joints and related disabilities such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted because his service-connected diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, combined with his nonservice-connected cervical spondylosis and cervical spine atrophy and compression, makes him unemployable.

The Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary problems, heart condition (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory condition, skin condition, recurrent headaches, eye condition and vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and psychiatric condition are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.