Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of current diabetes mellitus and denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity as secondary to diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was not related to Agent Orange exposure, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported medical expenses for 2004 and 2005 were not sufficient to reduce his countable income below the maximum annual pension rate, thus denying his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for any of the claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for decreased kidney function was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sixth cranial nerve palsy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is remanded. The timeliness of his appeals regarding joint and muscular pain, DDD of the lumbar spine, lumbar radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities is also remanded.

The Veteran does not have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities at any time relevant to his claim, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, most notably PTSD, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy of both feet was not related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it is related to his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disease, right and left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and scar of the face and forehead as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ulnar neuropathy and atrophy, specifically whether it is related to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for swelling joints, sinusitis, bilateral pes planus, and sleep apnea. The remaining service connection issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain necessary VA medical examinations and opinions for the issues of service connection for a left lower extremity disorder and a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The diabetes mellitus rating has not met the criteria for a higher rating, but his pilonidal cyst with recurrent open wound warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is sufficient to establish that his left and right ear hearing loss are related to service, with aggravation beyond normal progression of the disease by noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, calcaneal spurs and pes planus, is found to be incurred in service. However, his right and left upper and lower extremity disabilities are not attributable to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The leg disability other than peripheral neuropathy, pes planus and restless leg syndrome was also not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left and right foot disorders were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. He needs a VA examination to assess this.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, as well as his hypertension, are due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The postoperative cardiac surgery scar is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from June 30, 2009 to February 10, 2014.