Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents caused his multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no earlier effective date than August 8, 2014, the date her claim was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to a lack of a VA examination, as well as the need for an opinion regarding whether his peripheral neuropathy of the feet is related to his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development and examination: back disability, bilateral foot disability, diabetes, and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran asserts that his disabilities are related to service, particularly exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Service connection is denied for hypertension and both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED. The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy, to include as secondary to his service-connected disability of diabetes mellitus, will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes was found to be a contributory cause of his death from acute leukemia.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's hand tremors and bilateral hand neuropathy, which may be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities and resulting impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective April 8, 2014. Service connection for other conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination assessing his need for regular aid and attendance as a result of service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must also obtain any outstanding private treatment records and ensure they are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities is rated at 20 percent effective February 12, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's disability ratings remain at 0 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as service connected due to Agent Orange exposure. The issue regarding the initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder since August 29, 2014 remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II with diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The case is remanded to obtain inpatient treatment records from Naval Hospital Orlando during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various service-connected conditions were granted or denied. The appeal is mixed, with some issues having their initial ratings granted and others not.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities, as he asserts it is due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.